What in the World is a Wiki?

Well you are looking at one right now :)

So why use one for school?

Wiki software, whether it is a free service like PBWiki (which we are using right now) or a self installed wiki like MediaWiki, Wikis can be used for a variety of reasons.

One reason to use it here at BOCES might be for staff development information. We want to take things that we have created and post them inside of a Wiki. This allows teachers who are part of our school districts to be able to access information about using technology in the classroom in a searchable web page that can be printed by them if they would like. It allows us to post information quickly and in a format that can be customized as it grows.

What about teachers and students using something like this?

One way a teacher might be able to use this is for their curriculum. Imagine being able to take the huge folders that you once had and being able to create a searchable place that students could access. Now they students from last years class can refer back to a place that they need, or an incoming student could look to see what they might need to brush up on before getting to class. Also the current student could access information that they need.

Students could use a wiki as an organizational tool for a paper, or other things that they can think of. I am personally thinking about doing some research and have started to put my ideas here unfortunately for those viewing the site is password protected, but perhaps the way a student may want it.

Here is an example from Bud the teacher of an educational wiki. He is using it as a classroom resource that is being created by students and colleagues.

Here is another example of a wiki in school. This comes from the New York City Writing Project.