Wikis have many benefits, are easy to use, and have many applications. Some of the benefits of wikis:
• Anyone (registered or unregistered, if unrestricted) can add, edit or delete content.
• Tracking tools allow you to easily keep up on what been changed and by whom.
• Earlier versions of a page can be rolled back and viewed when needed.
• Users do not need to know HTML in order to apply styles to text or add and edit content.
"The disadvantage a wiki has is ironically the same as its advantage. Being written by its readers, and having little in the way of editorial control, a wiki is prone to being subjective, or strongly influenced by opinion. Someone with a grudge against a particular public figure, for example, could edit their entry to make derogatory remarks about them, or simply delete the page altogether. Controversial subjects are occasionally the site of "editing wars", where an entry is edited multiple times in quick succession by people on opposing sides of an issue. Because of this lack of vetting of entries, many teachers do not allow students to use wikipedia as an information source." From the post Wiki, Wiki, Wiki! found on the blog plcmc Information Core Competencies which is now called Library Trainer
Watch this Common Craft video on Wikis. It is a quick and easy intro to wikis.
Educators all over the country have begun to wikis to collaborate and share knowledge. As you can will see when you view the wikis in the list below, the content of a wiki depends on the knowledge and commitment of participants. Listed below are some wikis that have been created by educators in AEA9:
East Central Music History Class
East Central Sabula Elementary
East Central Staff Inservice Wiki
East Central Perspective Blog
microbiol2008
Feeling adventurous? Check these out!
PBWorks
Wikispaces
