Wikis

= w e t p a i n t  = http://wikisineducation.wetpaint.com/

In an educational setting, wikis can be created and maintained by students and/or teachers. These websites are collaborative and are continually being changed by the wiki users. Students and teachers alike can add, remove, update, create, and organize information of all types and formats. Wetpaint is a website that allows educators to create a classroom-friendly wiki that will assist students in the learning process. When looking at various wikis through wetpaint.com, I discovered a variety of applications including (but not limited to):
 * posting/planning assignments
 * holding discussions
 * obtaining/organizing information
 * exchanging ideas
 * sharing resources/research
 * integrating audio/video
 * attaching documents
 * offering opinions

In my opinion, the uses are limitless. Wikis appear to be user-friendly and can be tailored to fit the needs of any user. Several of the classroom wikis I viewed have assignments and due dates posted, class goals, upcoming projects, links to resources, announcements, study guides, etc. Teachers and students can interact and collaborate and all be on the same page with anything and everything related to their classroom.

A library would be an excellent place to utilize a wiki!! The following headings would be part of the the wiki design for my (future) library:

FOR THE STUDENT
 * Books I would recommend to a fellow student (for students to recommend books for other patrons of our library; possibly organized by genre, but not necessary)
 * Books I'd like to see on the shelves in our library (a way for students to voice their opinion as to what books are ordered for their library)
 * Questions for the librarian

FROM THE LIBRARIAN
 * Librarian's pick (a book or books the librarian has recently read that he/she feels would be well-received by the students)
 * Let's discuss it! (for student(s) and the librarian to discuss books, questions, and everything in between)
 * Links to online resources, games, and other useful websites

GENRE OF THE WEEK
 * A place to highlight a specific genre and recommend books within that genre

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
 * Allows students to sign up for times to come volunteer in the library

BOOK CLUBS
 * Post information and engage in discussion about books that are being read simultaneously by small groups of students

=Carianne Billett=

** Wiggio **

 * Wiggio.com/academic.html**

Wiggio is a tool designed to make working in groups less of a headache and more of a pleasant experience. Users are able to be in multiple groups and through each group are able to upload a document and have everyone edit the information. The files can be saved on Wiggio for later use and can be categorized into folders. Through Wiggio, you can assign tasks to group members as well as to-do lists and view when the task is completed as well as who completed it. Users can create a calendar with meeting and due dates for the group and the calendar can be imported into iCal and Google calendars as well as be sent through text or e-mail for reminders. Wiggio offers a messaging system that allows group members to communicate more effectively since when a member messages the others, the other members are able to reply via Wiggio, email or text and no matter the method, all messages are stored on Wiggio to read whenever the member is able to. Also, Wiggio allows for virtual meetings as well as conference calls. The site also allows users to leave voice notes for each other in case the members don’t want to type out all of their ideas. To make the group meetings more fluid, Wiggio offers a virtual whiteboard as well as screen-sharing, both without having to install software. The user can also opt to send a text through Wiggio to the other members to remind them about a meeting coming up or a task that needs to be completed. Groups are able to send polls to the group that have one-word answer, are open-ended or are able to be seen by the whole group or just the member that created the poll.
 * How it’s used:**

Wiggio would be a great asset to a library setting for instances when the librarian or librarian and teacher want to have students work in groups. The librarian could assign the students into groups and become a member of each group to monitor the appropriateness of the content. The assignment could be for the students to complete the desired group work with requirements of utilizing the to-do list and task manager for all of the aspects of the group as well as using at least 4 relevant polls, whether they are a two answer poll or open-ended. The students would also have to utilize the messaging system, both text as well as audio. An idea for an assignment would be for the students to research an urban myth or legend and have to present information on the myth/legend itself as well as the culture that it is thought to have originated in. They would also have to research variations of the myth/legend and find relative books in the library. For example, researching the history of the Hispanic legend, La Llorona and researching the Mexican culture as well some of the many variations of the story. Their relative book would be //La Llorona, the Weeping Woman// by Joe Hayes.
 * How the library could use it:**

-Victoria Ontiveros

**Teen Poetry Wiki**

[]

This Wiki is hosted by the **Internet Public Library**. It is specifically designed for a teen audience where they can post and read their writings of poetry. It requires membership with a free registration which allows teens to have their own wiki. There are additional requirements for teens to maintain in good standing with this web site. The Internet Public Library requires anonymous postings of teens works specifically requesting not to use their real names other than a screen name and no contact information such as email addresses. It has a strong policy of no vulgarity, swearing, stereotyping or race hate poems be posted or they will be removed. There are several areas of the Teen Space Poetry Wiki, for example :


 * Inspiration site teens discuss ideas that give them inspiration to write and advice.


 * The Word Play site which provides the opportunity for teens to experiment which language usage.


 * Finally there is the Open Mic feature that offers the opportunity record and hear as recite their poems as well as feedback on the works of others.

How Teen Space Poetry Wiki is used.

This teen Wiki by the Internet Public Library is a good online class resource for teenagers to developed literary writing and language skills.This Wiki helps them focus on intellectual writings skills that reflects their views on society, nature and their families in a constructive manner. This accessible Wiki can be used in English/Literature/Composition classes for posting writing projects with feedback and collaboration. The English Dept of any secondary school can utilize this Wiki in preparing for interscholastic league writing contests. This teen Wiki can also assisted teens in voice development.

Hector Martinez