Fun and easy to use, Wikis are also a great way to get students involved in the curriculum.  Whether you are interested in encouraging participation, collaboration, or interaction, wikis are a great addition to any classroom.

So... how about some ideas to integrate wikis into your classroom? Check these out:

1. Create a Classroom Encyclopedia
The study of any topic can be enhanced if students work together to gather information and then synthesize their learning by writing and posting short articles about the concepts being studied. The wiki can be organized by topic, or even alphabetically like a print encyclopedia. Then use the wiki as a reference tool.

2. Capitalize on Parents’ Expertise
Share topics and concepts you plan to cover in class with parents. Ask for volunteers who have expertise or interest in these areas to contribute or edit wiki articles students will use as classroom resources. Create a special area in the wiki where these articles can be posted and reviewed.

3. Launch a Local Collaborative Project
Ask students to identify a local problem that needs to be solved, such as pedestrian safety or cleaner city parks. Challenge students to design a wiki-based project focused on solving the problem. Invite other classrooms or local schools to participate in the project.

4. Provide Wikitutors
Have a team of your strongest math students or math club members create tutorial pages on your wiki site. On these pages, other students can post questions, problems, and misconceptions. The tutoring team can then post responses -- from a student's point of view.

5. Create Science Materials for English Language Learners
Students who are learning English as a second language may have difficulty with higher level science vocabulary. Use an ongoing wiki with your classes to have students develop clear and succinct concept lessons and vocabulary that will help ESOL students grasp your science concepts. These pages reinforce learning for students who create them, too!

6. Collaborate with Another Class
Partner with another teacher at your school or in your district. Identify a topic you will be teaching at the same time and create a wiki to encourage students in both classes to complete assignments collaboratively.

MEMBERS: For more information about Wikis, how to create them, ideas for implementing them, and classroom strategies, please login and search for "Integrating Wikis in the Classroom" in the Learning Programs area of the Teacher Learning Community.