Wikis for Parent and Student Communication

By Bhavi Patel

Workshop Purpose and Standards

The purpose of this workshop is to assist teacher in creating a classroom wiki that can provide parents and students with information or resources outside of class.

The standards address from this presentation are as follows: NETS- A5d NETS-T4d

Workshop Objectives
1. Participants will be able to identify the difference in a blog and a wiki.

2. Participants will be able to create their own wiki.

3. Participants will use the wiki to share what is happening in their classroom.

4. Participants will create a wiki for parent and student use.

Digital Literacy
Norms of appropriate, responsible behavior with regard to technology use (Ribble 10).

Blogs vs. Wikis

Blogs
More or less an online interactive journal.

Wikis
More or less an editable website.

Great for posting topics for discussion.

Allows for peer to peer communication. Allows for teacher to student communication.

Great for group collaboration.

Teachers and students (if allowed) can edit the contents of the wiki. Great for posting links, videos, topics for discussion.

Wiki Links for Educators

There are several excellent Wiki links for educators:
Wikispaces for Educators Wetpaint

Pbworks for Educators.

http://www.edtechnetwork.com/wikis_blogs.html

Getting Started!
Go to www.Pbworks.com

Select your account

Account options

Choose your plan (I recommend the free version)

Recommended

Setting up your account information

This will be your URL that parents and students will use to go to your wiki.

Fill this section out with your information

Setting up your account information

Once you have completed the initial set up Pbworks will send you an email confirmation. Follow these directions carefully to complete the set up.
You should see your Wiki URL here

Decide who can view your wiki Agree

Developing your Wiki Space

Developing your Wiki Space: Settings

Choose your skin

Click Settings
In the left column find COLOR and select.

Pick your skin color and click save color scheme.

Click the wiki tab to return to the front page.

Developing your Wiki Space: FRONT PAGE

To customize the front page select edit

Highlight the text in the box and delete. This is your blank slate!

Developing your Wiki Space: FRONT PAGE

Using the font, sizes, and colors option create a heading and brief description of how you would like this site to be used.

Developing your Wiki Space: Uploading an Image

Find a picture from the internet that you would like to have on your homepage. Save it to your computer.

Click on Images and files. This same process can be used to upload files.

Click on Upload files.

Find you image on your desktop and upload.

You should see your image file here.

Place your cursor where you want your picture to go. Then click on your image link.

Your picture will appear where your cursor was.

Uploading Documents
Follow the same sets as before, but Find the file on your computer. this time upload a document (worksheet, study guide, notes, ect.). Place your cursor where you want your file to be located. Click Images and file. Then click on your file. Select Upload.

Creating a New Page and uploading a video

Click on tab that says Pages and Files.
Click New and select Create a page. Name your page and click create page.

Your page will appear in the list of other pages. Click on your new page.
Once your new page has loaded click the edit tab.

Adding a Video Link (from You Tube)

Find a video on You Tube to upload http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AF Gs3oT7nQg

Copy the link for You Tube Video.

Select Insert from the tool bar. Go down to video and select You Tube.

Paste your link into the box and hit Next.

Your video will appear. Select Insert Plugin.

Your video will appear on your page. Be sure to save your page.

Linking Pages
To link a page to your home page (or any other page)
Go to Front Page and click Edit Find Page Tools (right) Place your cursor where you would like the page link to appear Then click on the page name.

Comment Box
Each page has comment boxes. This is an excellent way for students/parents to communicate However, for users to comment they with each other or the teacher. must request access to your page.

Contact Information
Bhavi Patel
Coffee Middle School 7th grade Language Arts 901 206 Connector N.

Dont forget to email me a link to your wiki for personal feedback!

Douglas, Georgia 31533

229-224-1181 bhavika.patel@coffee.k12.ga.us bp02387@georgiasouthern.edu

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9NGWS3F

Resources
Pbworks Users Manual: http://edumanual.pbworks.com/w/page/58006589/Home?utm_camp aign=wiki-link
Printable Handout: http://www.slideshare.net/bpatel86/wikis-forparent-and-student-communication-handout PbWorks Video (includes tips for creating student accounts): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QY3kJKzhG8U&list=PL8TjiC2PV UWqY_Rr2bnegrkNbS4dQJA9R