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= = =WIKI = The word 'wiki' is derived from the name of the shuttle buses at the airport in Honolulu...because they are quick, and creating a wiki is quick. [grin] But think of a wiki as an online whiteboard...although it can also be as complex as a corporate website. It is basically a website that can be easily edited without needing to know anything about websites...by yourself, your colleagues, others to whom you give the web address. Website creation made easy!
 * What is it? **

**Point me to something...** W ikispaces is a wiki 'platform' which many people prefer because it is easy to use and gives a clean look. __//This//__ wiki is a Wikispace. :-)

**What is happening in education?** >
 * Students are using wikis as places where they can describe and display their work eg. a carpentry student is able to upload photos of a table he/she has built, together with a video or audio of the processes taken. By adding other relevant information, this could be a valuable resource for gaining employment or seeking RPL in higher qualifications.
 * Trainers are creating share spaces where groups of students can together on collaborative group projects, sharing thoughts, links etc., or building a collaborative piece of writing. For example, I know of one trainer who has used it as a work space for 3 groups of students who had to work together.... but had different timetables. A virtual team! :-)
 * Teaching are using wikis as a place to provide 'extra' resources, links etc not in standard course material. Students can be encouraged to add to the list.
 * Wikis are being used as a collaborative staff space, for the development of teaching content and/or collecting resources.
 * Some teachers are using the creation of Wikipedia articles as the basis a class activity
 * What about using a wiki as an e-portfolio - a place to document learning either simply as a record, or as an RPL tool.
 * Sharing corporate knowledge! For example, setting up a wiki as a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) about often-needed information so colleagues can all add to it.

**Examples**
 * Horizon Project - a wiki used as a planning/collaborative tool to create the Horizon Report
 * RRRPL or e-Mentors - wikis used to support project teams
 * Branching in Multi Modal Texts - a wiki for Language and Literacy teachers
 * Teaching with Thinking and Technology - a collaborative wiki being used to collect resources
 * E-learning on a Shoestring or Teaching with Moodle (a couple more from me [grin] They make great 'handouts').

**Show me how...** If you would like to start from the very beginning, check out the embedded video below - Wikis in Plain English. then once you've gotten your head around wikis and what they can do, there are some great How To Set Up a Wikispace videos which will step you through the process - use the drop-down menu at the top to see all the different ones available.

Once you've mastered the technical skills (and they aren't too onerous), you might find [|50 Ways to Use Wikis for a More Collaborative and Interactive Classroom] is a useful resources, although it has a school focus. Or alternatively, [|Basic Principles of making a wiki work in education]. Check out this presentation on Wikis in Education in ACE by Lynne Gibb.

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'Wiki Wiki bus'' photo:: CC licensed Flickr photo by pmsyyz
 * Acknowledgement**

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