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Week One Homework Ideas and Comments

There are notes on the Week One Webinar

This page consists of ideas of comments from campers while doing Wk1 homework.

PLEASE ADD IDEAS TO THIS PAGE!

 

Week One Homework Ideas and Comments Wiki Design and Organization  Wiki Content Wiki Visitors - Home & World Assessment Wikis as a Technology or District-Wide Resource Comments about Wiki Limitations

 

Wiki Design and Organization 

 

What to Put in Sidebar

• place important info like expectations in the sidebar so students can see it all the time. Clear and prominent expectations help students meet guidelines.
• use section headings to organize areas 
• sidebar should use clear, descriptive links

 

Wiki Design

• keep all information within one screen so viewers don’t have to scroll

• check what equipment & screen resolutions are most common for your school (see above)

• use colours, lines, etc. to differentiate between different content areas

• organize a wiki so that it is self evident - like objects in the same place

• chunk information into categories with appropriate headings to make finding information more intuitive

• use media to make pages more engaging

• use templates to keep a consistent look, however this is enough flexibility to personalize the page

• important or current items should go at the top of a page

 

Organizing Student Work

• class organized in a table that points to one individual page

• class organized with each student having a folder for multiple pages

 

Organizing Lessons

• folder for each subject

• folder for each unit

• use tags to search by content

• use tags to make searching easier – more dynamic than folders

• give links meaningful names to navigating is intuitive

• use reverse order so that most current information or lessons are on the top

 

 

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Wiki Content

 

Commenting on Pages

• comments should be positive and constructive

• comments give opportunity for private praise

• comments are archived so students can use constructive suggestions or revisit for encouragement

• good opportunity for peer critiquing

• if posting presentations to the wiki, questions can be asked right on the wiki (by presenter and class)

  then answered in the comments section.

• if publishing work of several classes, allows students to see different approaches to the same lesson and learn from each other

• teach students how to elaborate on comments so that they aren't just "cool" or "nice job."

   

 

Classroom Content Ideas

• an elementary student blogan elementary student blog
• sample projects
• content should be universal/not platform specific
• print handouts should be converted to pdf
• use embedded forms as group assessment, student assessment
• podcases for students who miss school

 

 

Wiki Etiquette

• include a page on etiquette and wiki guidelines
• students are asked to be courteous to each other
• students should ask for permission to use others’ names in their work
• encourage copyright-free material to reinforce good digital citizenship & social responsibility

 

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Wiki Visitors - Home & World

 

Wecoming Global Community

• welcome outside visitors (global community) with cluster map plugin, surveys 

• students see that they are part of a global community with real-world audience

• collaborate with another class in another school

• wikis are used to extend the walls of the classroom

 

Parent Information

• set up a parent area so parents can comment and ask questions

• explain class rules and assessment

• explain policies about privacy

• contact information

 

Us ing Wiki from Home

• provide subscriptions and resources available during the day and at home 

• using a wiki means resources that can’t be viewed on a school site due to filtering can still be accessed at home.

• allow students to keep posting over the summer

• students and staff can access the information 24/7, to read, download or print.

• additional content to enhance class work, eg. sites to practice skills

• links to local stores where students can purchase art supplies, equipment for science fairs, etc.

• enable an authentic audience by inviting outside participation

 

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Assessment

 

Checking History

• use the history feature to see which students have contributed to the wiki
• don't put too much emphasis on time spent on the wiki - some students like to play with colour and pictures but don't add real content
• some students will sit in a group and only one member will log on and type answers -- warn them that each member must log in and type individual work
• assessment needs to be qualitative as well as quantitative!

 

 

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Wikis as a Technology or District-Wide Resource

 

Technologist Content Ideas

• web resources that connect with the curriculum
• screen recordings of how-to's such as using Audacity, setting up a state technology survey account, using specific software, and
• materials for professional development e.g. presentations, movies, handouts
• summaries about PD conferences and classes
• workshops given in school and outside
• technology projects for the classroom
• Instructions and tutorials for using school technology, hardware and software
• links to online resources and interesting websites
• send FYI and reminders regarding tech
• maintanence updates
• information from the district technology staff.
• tips & tricks, like keyboard shortcuts
• share current research and tech ideas
• provide a venue for teachers to ask their questions where answers can be archived and accessed as needed
• facilitate collaboration and interaction between peers

• "Help sheets" on how to use Web 2.0 tools such as Google Apps
• Audio and video tutorials such as Common Craft videos so that learners can see and hear the explanations of the tools
• Examples of best practices by other educators so that new users can see the possibilities of how to use a new tool

 

Library Wiki Content 

•   Reference desk
  • Track issues
  • Maintain an updated list of FAQ / Q&A
  • Searchable list of closed issues
  • Continued discussion about various databases
  • List of Instructional Resources
  • Various instructions
  • Discussion and comments on everything above
• Library Instruction
  • Technology references and help, constantly updated
  • Goals, Objectives, and Assessment plans
  • Meetings minutes
  • Plagiarism
  • Student readings
  • Syllabus
  • Scheduling
  • Discussion and comments on everything above
• Orientation for new library faculty
  • Introductions
  • Help
  • Annual and Monthly Work Grids
  • Collection Development and Maintenance
  • Emergency and First Aid Information
  • Evaluations
  • Governing Documents - CBA - FS - FPS - Bylaws
  • Instruction
  • Reappointment and Tenure
  • Off days - sick days - snow days - etc
  • Issue tracking
  • Problem Borrowers
  • Fines

 

 

 

Comments about Wiki Limitations

• announcements and other timely information is better suited to email, since it is more direct; not all staff & students will choose to get wiki updates. 
• social bookmarking sites are more powerful for sharing links than wikis
• please, please don't steal a lock from someone editing a page unless it has been more than 5 minutes! (and even then...)
• Wiki vs. Ning group -- which one for what functions? (can always use in conjunction with each other)