Activity #17 Wikis

I thoroughly enjoyed this activity because I have heard so much about wikis and wanted to know more about them.  After viewing several wikis, I realised there is a great range of differing uses for a wiki.
They can

• provide information ( be it text, images, video, podcasts)
• create a space for discussion and sharing ideas
• encourage collaboration
• display students' work etc

Alot of the wikis I looked at had a Home Page that was well set up with links and well presented but seemed to be managed by one person (usually an enthusiastic educator) and contributions from others was limited even though there was plenty of opportunity for others to add to the wiki.  Secondly, many had been last updated some time ago.

I am keen to set up a wiki using Wiki spaces but see two challenges.  Firstly, keeping the site current and adding to it regularly to keep it active and "alive' and secondly, encouraging and enthusing others to make a contribution to the site.

The school library where I work would be ideal for creating a wiki.  On it I could put info about opening times, borrowing policy, procedures etc. Advertising and promoting Book Week short-listed books, authors and illustrators, Literature Circles and a place for sharing photos, upcoming events, news etc could all be placed on a wiki.

Each class could also create their own wiki and do things like debating, pick-a-path stories, solving open-ended math questions, orientation of new students (what you need to know) to name a few.