wikispaces

=Wikispaces Module=

Why Wikis?
Wikis as a Teaching Tool (White paper)

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Wikis in Education
Look at these examples and discuss possible uses for wikis in your classroom.

High School
chsworldgeography.pbworks.com @http://fleurdelis.pbworks.com/

Middle School
http://kasselberg.wikispaces.com/ http://ksnow.wikispaces.com/ http://killionlanguagearts.wikispaces.com/

Elementary School
http://crowesweb.wikispaces.com/ http://fyistories.wikispaces.com/ - a student's wiki

Video Tutorials from Wikispaces.com
Introduction to wikispaces Personalize your wiki Adding Files and Pictures Embed Widgets Permissions Send Invitations

Steps for creating your wiki

 * 1) Go to www.wikispaces.com/site/for/teachers
 * 2) If you already have an account use it to log in. If you don't have an account go to www.wikispaces.com/sites/for/teachers
 * 3) Click in the box for Username. Enter a Username (your e# works nicely for this), create a password and enter your district email account.


 * 1) After entering your selected Username, Password, and email address, click the radio button next to Private, check the box to certify the use will be for K-12 education and finally click the Join button.
 * 2) The next screen will ask you to confirm your email address and remind you to check your email box for an email from wikispaces.
 * 3) When you receive an email from wikispaces.com, click on the link found in the email message and verify your account.
 * 4) To create a New Wiki -- choose a wikiname. This will be the domain name that goes before the .wikispaces.com. For example, this wiki name is pisdinstech.wikispaces.com. The wiki name is pisdinstech.
 * 1) Wiki Permissions -- set to Protected. This will allow everyone to see it but only members of your wiki may edit it.
 * 2) Wiki Type - click the drop down menu arrow to set the wiki to K-12 Education (Primary and Secondary).
 * 3) Click on Create.
 * 4) The next screen is a help menu. Please take time to read and familiarize yourself with the available content. You will find information about editing your pages, familiarizing yourself with your wiki and managing your account.

Managing Your Wiki
From this screen you are able to change your security settings and manage members.

Making a New Page

 * 1) To create a new page use the New Page link found on the sidebar. This will give you a Make a New Page screen. This is where you will add the Page Name and Tags (tags are used to indentify the page when searching). Try not to include spaces in the Page Name. This will simplify your wiki URL.
 * 2) This first page should act as your front page.
 * 3) When editing your pages you will be able to use many of the typical tools found in a word processor like Bold, Italic, Underline or change the text color.
 * 4) Notice the tabs at the top of the page as well. The Discussion tab will allow you to create a dialogue thread with members of your wiki.
 * 5) The Edit tab at the right is used to edit any page you are working on.



Uploading files to your wiki

 * 1) To upload a file to your wiki be sure you are in edit mode by clicking the Edit button on the page. Select the File button and navigate to the file you wish to upload.
 * 2) This places the file in the upload directory but still needs to be selected (by double-clicking) to load it to your page.



Inserting a Link

 * 1) You can insert a link to other webpages by selecting the Link button in the Edit menu. Notice you can choose from three different tabs -- Wiki Link (a link to a page in your wiki), an External Link (to other web sites) or an Anchor (to other locations on the page).
 * 2) If you put a check mark in the New Window box your link will open in a new window. This is helpful if you prefer not using the back button or if you like to see both windows at the same time.



Changing the Navigation Bar

 * 1) The navigation bar on the left of the page can be used to navigate to other areas in your wiki.
 * 2) You can create a list of pages or links to other places.

Personalizing your Wiki
Remember, you can personalize your wiki by defining colors, themes, and widgets. Explore the features of wikispaces to make it your own.