Summer Wiki Challenge

I finally setup and began using my own wiki recently and have found it to be a useful technology. Use of the technology was quickly integrated into my Clif's Wikiproductivity strategies and I’m left wondering how I ever managed without it. In a very short time I’ve already found the need to setup additional wikis and have begun collaborating with colleagues on several other wikis that aren’t mine. As with most Web 2.0 tools, wikis are very easy to use and offer a wide variety of possible uses.

I received an email from Wetpaint‘s Education division stating that “wikis are a fantastic way to keep your students engaged in learning over summer vacation — and to help them prepare for the coming school year.” They suggest the following strategies to help you get started.

Create a summer reading wiki where students can choose summer reading titles and post their thoughts — all before the first day of school!

Share a preview of your syllabus with your students to give them a sense of what they can expect when school is back in session.

Collaborate with other teachers to share your ideas for a successfull fall semester.

Personal profiles let students get to know each other before the bell rings on the first day.

SOURCE: Wetpaint.com Education – Ideas for wiki-ing this summer

I had a few other ideas that might encourage teachers to begin using a wiki this summer come to mind.

  • Use a wiki to collaborate with colleagues as you prepare instructional units, assignments, field trips, supply lists, and more for the coming year.
  • Provide a weekly math challenge for students to encourage them to keep their math skills and knowledge sharp.
  • Allow students to share their creative writing or poetry on your wiki. This would be an opportunity to encourage practice in writing, reading, critique, peer review and editing.
  • Host an online art gallery, photo essays or video journals around a specific topic or theme.

Take a look at this list of ideas for using wikis this summer being compiled at Wetpaint’s Wikis in Education.

Discussion

  1. What other strategies for using wikis do you suggest?
  2. Will you accept the challenge to begin using a wiki this summer?

Published by

Clif

Clif Mims is a Christian, husband, father, teacher, cancer warrior, and fan of the Mississippi State Bulldogs and Memphis Grizzlies.

5 thoughts on “Summer Wiki Challenge”

  1. I am very new to creating wiki pages for my students. I am currently taking a course for my masters program about incorporating technology into the classroom. I never realized how great of an idea it would be to use a wiki to keep in touch with students. It sounds like a very good way to keep them engaged throughout the summer and it also encourages them to keep learning. Love the idea and I am definitley going to give it a try.

  2. These are good ideas, Donna. It sounds like you probably (will) have several more and I would enjoy hearing them. Please let us know which activity you choose to undertake this summer. Encourage others to consider begin using wikis, too.

    All the best,
    Clif
    https://clifmims.com

  3. I love the idea of using wikis over summer break. I could use it to plan and collaborate with other teachers about the new school year curriculum, activities, and strategies. I could create a classroom management wiki where teachers and administrators can share, reflect, vent, discuss, debate, and collaborate on classroom management problems, solutions and ideas. I was in C.L.U.E (Creative Learning in a Unique Environment) during elementary school. I learned to piggyback. Instead of copying what someone else does, you take what they have said or done and push it further. My brain is overflowing with ideas. Thanks.

  4. I have no experience with a wiki so I went to Jethro’s link. Amazing. What a great way to keep everyone informed and involved.

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