Creating a Classroom Wikispace

Creating a Classroom Wikispace

This tutorial will guide you through steps to create a classroom Wikispace. It would be beneficial to go through the entire lesson once before creating your own Wikispace to get a feel for what Wikispaces are their benefits to educators.

ET502Jennifer BouskaTiffany KileJulie Stout

What is a Wikispace?Wikispaces are groups of web pages that can be edited by anyone. As the creator, you can set your permissions to allow certain people to view and edit your page.

Wikis are simple web pages that groups, friends, and families can edit together. Starting your wiki atWikispacesis fast, free, and easy. www.wikispaces.com

Where can I locate Wikispaces?Wikispaces can be located at the internet address below.

www.wikispaces.com

What is a Wiki page?A Wiki page is a page within a self created Wikispace. What would I use a Wiki for?Collaborative writingDiscussionBrainstormingClassroom Information/NewslettersNetworkingWhat does a Wiki look like?Here are some educational Wikis you can explore before you begin.

www.kile4.wikispaces.comwww.jen283.wikispaces.comwww.daviesteach.wikispaces.comwww.cm4eric.wikispaces.com

What do I need?A computer with internet accessBasic knowledge of PowerPoint and using the internet45 minutes of dedicated work time to complete this lesson

Tasks AddressedGetting StartedCreating a WikispacePersonalizing and EditingAdd a PageStart a Discussion

Go OnStop and Try

Getting StartedOpen your internet and type the Wikispaces address in the address bar.www.wikispaces.com

Select and enter your own username and password. Example:username -ET502email ******@bears.unco.edupassword - *******

Then click Get Started.

Creating a Wiki PageClick Create a New Wiki.

Choose your Wiki Name and enter it into the box to the right of Wiki Name.Choose a name between 3 and 32 characters long.A wiki name must be at least 3 characters long.A wiki name can contain only letters, numbers, and hyphens, without any spaces, and it cannot start with a hyphen.A wiki name cannot be blank.Our lesson Wiki name ET502

Select a Public, Protected, or a Private Wiki type. If you want others to be able to edit and view your Wiki without being members, choose a Public Wiki. A Protected Wiki can be viewed by anyone, but only edited by Wiki members. A Private Wiki is not free and can only be viewed and edited by Wiki members.

Select the Wiki Type. Wiki Type For teachers there is a K-12 option and a Higher Education option. For this tutorial, we are selecting Higher Education.K-12Higher educationBusinessPersonal Non-profitGovernmentOtherI prefer not to answer

Click the Create button.

Invite members to your WikiGo to Manage WikiPeopleInvite peopleAdd in the email addresses of all the people that need to be a part of this wiki page and send.You can find and add new members by going to Manage wiki, members.If you created a Public Wiki you do not need to invite members since the page is meant to be viewed and edited by outside members.

Eliminating AdvertisementsGo to Manage WikiSettingsClick on SubscriptionsScroll to the bottomSelect free educator upgradeConfirm you are using the Wiki for educational purposesSubmitThe advertisements will be removed within a few days!

EditingPersonalizing your WikiWikispaces will provide you with a message to assist in this process.Editing your pageIf you are not at the home page, click HomeClick on the Edit button on the upper right side of your screen to begin editing your Wiki page

Delete preset textClear out the text that comes with your new Wiki. You do this with the backspace or delete key on your computers keyboard. This is similar to any text deletion on the computer.

Begin adding your own text

Start by typing your Welcome Message to students, parents, or peers

When finished, press save.

To change font formatting on your page, highlight the text and click on the T-color pallet. This function allows you to change text color, text alignment, vertical position, background color, and adding strike through.

To change the color, click the Text Color box. Click on your new color and then Apply Styles. Click the Save button after making any changes.

To insert a link to an outside webpageClick External LinkType in the words you would like to be hyperlinked into Link Text boxType the address in the address boxIf you would like the linked website to appear in a new window, check the New Window boxClick Add LinkClick Save

Insert imagesYou must first be sure that you have a picture file saved on your computer.You canUse an existing picture file or photoSave a picture from a website or document to your computerTo save, find a picture you would like and right click on itThen select save image as and choose the location to store your imageYou are now ready to upload your image to your wiki!

Insert images or fileClick upload files to find a file currently on the computerThen click file to uploadEmbed filePost it directly to the pageLink to fileCreate a link to take the worker directly to a site.

Embed Widget insert outside movie (example: Teacher Tube or You Tube)Click on the widget buttonChoose a Wikispaces widget or a category provided to youClick save

Inserting and manipulating a tableClick insert tableDefine your tableNumber of columnsNumber of rowsInsert tableClick saveTo change table size after creating, click on the table and a small table will appear. Click on small table and a menu will allow you to choose what you want to change. Click saveTo re-align the table within the Wikipage, click on the table and a small table will appear.Click on the small table and a menu will allow you to align your table at the right, left or center of the pageClick save

PreviewBefore saving any work, you can preview what changes you made. This will allow you to decide to keep your work or discard it.

CancelThis button will cancel any changes you have made prior to saving. It will take you back to the last page that you saved.

SaveOne of the most important buttons to push. Be sure to save any work that has been done unless you want to lose it.

Changing the Color or Theme of your WikiGo to Manage WikiClick on Look and FeelClick on Themes and ColorsChoose your theme from the samplesChoose a color schemeClick Preview to view the layout on the screenYou can choose:PreviewPreview and CustomizeChange the colors to your exact specifications.ApplyRemember to click Save to keep your choice

Add a PageClick New PageGive your page a name Click CreateEdit your new page the same way you did your initial page.Your new page will be listed on a sidebar of your Wiki page.Click on the new page name to view the page.

To insert a link to another page in your WikiClick LinkInsert the name of the page that you want linked to this page. Give it a name: Link TextAttach it to a current page within the WikiClick Add LinkClick Save

Start a DiscussionClick on the discussion tab at the top of your Wiki page.Select New PostName a subject and type in your discussion topic.If you would like email reminders when discussions happen, click on monitor this topic.Click PostClick on discussion subject name to reply to the post.Type in your reply and click Post. The moderator for the discussion will receive an email saying you replied.

Do you know how to create a Wiki?

Under Manage Wiki, which button do you press to change the look of your Wikispace? Content ManagerBadgesLook and FeelSpace Usage

Answer: c) Look and Feel Under Edit, which button do you press to change font formatting such as color and size?

Answer: a) T-color pallet True or false, once I begin to edit, I cannot go back.Answer: False, by pressing cancel, theWiki will go back to the previouslysaved choices.

Under Edit, which button do you press to align text?

Answer: d) T-color palletWhich button do you press to add a page?TemplatesNew PageTagsExports

Answer: b) New PageUnder Discussion, you can post your discussion question byClicking on Search PostsEntering your question into the blank boxClicking + New PostsDouble clicking the Discussion button again

Answer: c) Clicking + New PostUnder Edit, which button do you press to add a picture to your page?WidgetLinkFileTable

Answer: c) File

True or False, the discussion button can be found along the top of the home page.

Answer: True, the discussion button isBetween Page and History tabs at the top of the Wiki.

Under Edit, which button do you press to add a video to your page?

VideoPreviewWidgetMovie

Answer: c) Widget

Under Manage Wiki, which button do you press to change protections so that only certain people can view your page?

PermissionsContent ManagerWiki InfoUser Creator

Answer: a) Permissions

True or false, I can upload large files to share with others.

Answer: True, the Wiki page is capableof very large files.

True or false, I am the only person who can edit my pages.

Answer: False, depending on thepermission level that the Wiki is set at,you can determine who can edit mypages.

Under Manage Wiki, which button do you press to eliminate the advertisements?

MembersNotificationsWiki StatisticsSubscription

Answer: d) Subscription

True or false, Wikis are unsafe because anyone can edit them at any time.

Answer: False, a Wiki can be set atdifferent levels of permissions to allowfor collaboration on many differentlevels.

Use these videos to refresh your memory.

You are now ready to utilize your Wikispace!