5 Ways to use a Wiki

Thinking of collaboration tools and the different ways that these can be used in today's e-classrooms: 5 ways to use a Wiki:
• to edit student writing
• to share responses to books read
• to brainstorm ideas
• to share personal reflections after a lesson or series of lessons
• to post questions about a topic

Editing student writing:
Writer's Workshop is an excellent format for support students development in writing. However, peer editing is often difficult, especially at the elementary level because students' handwriting isn't always legible, especially after several editing sessions.
Posting the drafts on a wiki produces legible copy and when editors offer their feedback using colors assigned to each editor, feedback from individuals can be easily tracked.


Group Reading Response Log:
When readers' responses about books currently being read by a class are posted on a wiki, everyone can easily share in the conversation. Students may inspire each other to read new titles or authors while at the same time learn to write in this persuasive genre.

Brainstorming:
2,3,4,5 heads are better than when and when brainstorming, too many cooks don't always spoil the broth. Handwritten brainstorming charts are often buried after the initial activity, but a wiki can preserve these more efficiently. Try using different colors to post ideas at different times during the project. Track the growth ( quantity and quality) of ideas during the course of the unit.

Reflections:
While some reflections may be personal, at times sharing what students have learned as individual can offer models for others to frame and express their thinking. Some sentence starters include: Today I (describe the lesson). I didn't know that.. something surprising was... I enjoyed... I think.... I am still confused about... I wish.. Next time... I wonder...

Questions:
Like brainstorming, sharing questions at the beginning of a unit of study can keep track of students' growth. And as in most collaborative endeavors, the opportunities to share thinking, ideas, wonderings deepens the experience for all involved. A student who poses a "fat" question *  invites peers to piggyback on his/her ideas.

*"fat questions are questions that are not easily answered by listing facts or giving short answers. They require elaboration and often are open ended and neither "right nor wrong".