In this session, two high school English teachers presented the way that they used a wiki to encourage their students to read.

Goals for their free reading project were for students to read good young adult literature, enjoy it and discuss it, just like people do in the real world.

Step 1. Booktalk good books for kids to read. These teachers worked with their librarian and selected lots of good books to recommend to their students. They used YALSA and TLA booklists, such as Best Books for Young Adults, Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, Teens’ Top Ten and Tayshas. Students went to the library as a class and heard booktalks about a few of the books that had been recommended for them to read.

Step 2. Students complete signpost projects. These were simple projects that students could do to mark their progress as they read. There were several choices of projects – most using technology. Directions for these mini-projects can be found on the Warriors Read wiki.

Step 4. Product. After completing their reading, students had to do a final product. Choices were book trailers, book posters, or a booktalk via podcast. Any digital products were uploaded to the wiki for all students to access.

These teachers chose a wiki to house the content for this project for several reasons. Wikis allow for multiple contributors. All teachers of a subject or grade level can monitor and contribute to a wiki. Students can contribute too!

The Wikispaces discussion tab was another reason for using that particular wiki. Students used it to engage in meaningful discussions about their books any time, any place. That meaningful discussion was one of their goals from the outset.

The fact that students’ digital work was posted for everyone to see really inspired them to do their best.

Collaborative groups meeting electronically don’t have to worry about transportation or scheduling issues.

A wiki enlarges the classroom by providing access to materials, instructions and multimedia all the time, everywhere.

Some tips for the successful implementation of a wiki with students:

Plan the organization of the wiki before you create it

Create student accounts yourself.

Develop a system for grading.

Post directions for activities on the site

Teach netiquette before you begin

Other ideas for using wikis:

READING

Current events discussions

Post an article or link to an article and have students read it and post their own reactions

Have students post links to news stories they find interesting or relevant. Students can view and comment on each other’s posts

Research and link collecting

In groups or individually, students find and post links to reliable articles or websites for a research unit

Discussion Circles

Students post thoughts as they read a novel

Virtual Book Club

Students “meet” online and discuss the book

Links, articles, pictures – anything about the book can be posted to the wiki

WRITING

Brainstorming and prewriting

Students discuss essay topics BEFORE they write. They see their own thoughts as well as the thoughts of their classmates, allowing them to struggle with the ideas before they face the blank page.

Collaborative stories

Provide a story starter (or have students start one)

Students add to/comment on/continue the story

PUBLISHING

Project showcase

Anything students can create digitally can be uploaded and shared with wiki viewers

Documents and multimedia can be “handed in” electronically

Spread information about your classroom, club or project

SUB PLANS

Not for emergency use, but you can put a PowerPoint or post links so students can get the best of you even when you’re not there

Other uses for wikis can be found at readingwritingwiki.wikispaces.com or educationalwikis.wikispaces.com