Setting+up+a+wiki

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WIKIS!
Some introductory videos, compliments of Barb Rule's wiki: http://techspaces.pbworks.com

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__Unique features of Google Docs:__ Real time editting. Autosaving. Forms allow you to ask people questions and automatically fill a spreadsheet. Graphing of your results.

__Unique features of Wikis:__ Allows you to place almost any type of file on a page for others to download (including sound and video files.) Allows you to embed other things from the internet right onto the page. (called Widgets.)

__Cool features of both Google Docs and Wikis:__ Both allow you to backtrack and see earlier versions called "revisions", so you can always back up to what the thing looked like before someone changed it. Both allow you to have multiple users working on the same page. Both allow you to set various levels of privacy and access, from public to private, from one user to multiusers.

When to use a Google doc, vs when to use a Wiki?
If you want to collaborate on a document that many people are creating together, use a Google Doc. Why? Google Docs lets 10 people edit at one time without worrying about saving over one another. (With a wiki, one person's saves will overrule what someone else is working on at the same time.) If you want to collect data, you probably want a Google Form, which is part of Google Docs. If you want a lot of privacy, you can use either...but PROBABLY it will be a Google Doc.

If you want to create a place people can go to download files, you want a wiki. If you want to create a place for people to swap and share files, you want a wiki. If you want to publish information, you probably want a wiki. If you want to share web links with a group of people, you probably want a wiki... If you just want to make a webpage, and don't want to be bothered with lots of technical stuff, make a wiki! If you want to create a repository of various types of information for people to come back to over and over, you PROBABLY want a wiki. If you want students to collaborate in creating pages that demonstrate the work of groups, you need a wiki (remember that students cannot currently use Google Docs.) If you want something students can look at that you can differentiate for them...use a wiki!

Examples of Wikis in use in the secondary areas of SDOL: http://selchusg1.wikispaces.com/ http://mrdodson.wikispaces.com/ http://cff-mccaskey.wikispaces.com http://jhess2008-09.wikispaces.com/IMP+3

There are three sites at which you can create a wiki which are recommended by your coaches -
Wikispaces (http://www.wikispaces.com) PBworks (http://www.pbworks.com) Google Sites (http://sites.google.com)

Some people in the district are using a wiki called Wetpaint. You are welcome to use Wetpaint but your coach does not give it the kudos of the above three sites because of the fact that it has unremoveable ads and very limited storage space for files and data. (For an example, see here: @http://mathpm.wetpaint.com/ )


 * Wikispaces:** This site we used today was designed in Wikispaces. Wikispaces has an ad-free version for educators (click here for directions on getting rid of ads: http://sdoltech.wikispaces.com/How+to+get+rid+of+ads.) It has been widely used among many teachers in the high school in SDOL and many people in our district, including many of our students, are accustomed to its layout. Its major features are relatively easy to use, but it does have several advanced features that make it very versatile.


 * PBworks:** This site has been widely used in the elementary schools. Your secondary coach believes that this one is not quite as easy for beginning wiki users as wikispaces; however, it allows you to group pages into folders and set up different permissions for different users on different pages. Therefore, it is slightly more powerful as a tool than wikispaces.


 * Google Sites:** Google sites is very easy to use and has many exciting features. However, it is also somewhat prone to occasional crashes and errors as it is a relatively new site. But when it is working correctly, it is an exciting and easy-to-use tool that is already growing in popularity with several of our teachers at the high school.

If you create a wiki, or have a teacher you are working with create a wiki, please register it here:
__[|http://tinyurl.com/cjv2w]__ This helps your coaches stay abreast of how people are using technology at SDOL, and provide quick support and recommendations to you as you use your wikis.

We will learn to design the wiki with a live demonstration:
Edit - Upload files, images Insert links, images, files, e-mails, Add pages Sharing Access --Request Access --Enter e-mail addresses - tips for using wikis with students (no last names on the net!)

Tutorials and Support Information:
If using Wikispaces, simply click the HELP link at the top of the screen for many mini tutorials. PBWorks User Manual PBWorks Support Center = = = __Next Steps to be shared at the October 23 or November 6 Instructional Coaches meeting:__ = = Develop a wiki to use to share information with the people you coach. = = Link [or embed if you want to give that a try!] a relevant Google Form onto your wiki that will help you in your work as a coach, which we will then look at together during your next upcoming professional development session. =