School+Wiki+Ideas

Here are a few wikis of varying complexity, from highly structured to fairly loose. A principal goal in all of these is to use the wiki to facilitate collaboration. Some are just the shells for the wikis; others are examples of student work.

Toy Project. Students work independently, in small groups, and as a whole class, using a wiki to more easily share information and draw "big picture" conclusions about working conditions in toy factories around the world. Note how resources and work space occur in the same place. No password. http://www.seedwiki.com/wiki/sbhs_toy_project_2006/

Controversial Issues Wiki. This is a template for students working in pairs. They use the wiki to take notes about both sides of a controversial issue and produce the best arguments and evidence on both sides before writing. Source citation is built into the note-taking. No password. http://www.seedwiki.com/wiki/controversial_issues_wiki/

Making Connections about World War II. Students used this wiki to share information about connections among people, battles and other key events of World War II. Each student produced a concept map revealing their understanding of those connections. Password to this wiki: dday [|http://nolanww2.pbwiki.com]

American Lit AP Review: This was just started a few days ago. The assignment is to create a review for the final and as a guide for students to use next year. It's this teacher's first wiki and is subject to some revision next year--definitely a work in progress. There are empty blocks on the main page set up to be completed after students work on their group sections. Password: twain http://amlitreview.pbwiki.com/

See David Loertscher and Richie Partington's "YA Reviews" wiki for an example a wiki created to collected resources on a topic, in this case, great fiction and nonfiction for teens. Contributors to this wiki are predominantly graduate students. No password. http://www.seedwiki.com/wiki/ya_reviews/

Doug Achterman San Benito High School 1220 Monterey St. Hollister, CA 95023 (831)637-5831 ext. 181 http://www.sbhsd.k12.ca.us/sbhslib/library.htm