Set Up Your Own Wiki Spaces Classroom!

 

"Technology helps me plan my lessons better and connect with my students impeccably."

- Ms Rashmi Kathuria honoured as the National Best e-Teacher awarded by Dr APJ Abdul Kalam in 2007.

A wiki is a website that allows users to edit or add their own content to the pages on the site.^[1] Think Wikipedia but on a smaller scale, customised for a classroom that incorporates PC enabled learning.  It facilitates learning that is collaborative, research focused and engaging for students. Moreover, teachers can monitor assignment progress (both individual and group), organise study material effectively and most importantly foster a sense of curiosity as well as an independent spirit amongst students!

Here is how you can set up your very own Wiki Spaces Classroom:

Step 1:

Create a website on Google Sites and name it according to the following - grade, subject, and topic if needed.^[2]

Step 2:

Depending on your objective - group assignments or a comprehensive knowledge base (it can be both!), organise information and set up guidelines as well as safety measures.^[3] You can source links from anywhere on the web and can also showcase previous assignments so your students have a benchmark. Try to give your students as much as a free hand possible so they feel connected, in control and in turn motivated to keep coming back!

Step 3:

Import students' email IDs and invite them to make good use of their very own Wiki Classroom. It goes without saying, an in-depth tutorial should be given in class and try to assimilate the Wiki naturally albeit slowly into your teaching.

Anything that is new has a novelty factor attached to it but for long-term use, students need to be motivated. This can be done via a scoreboard (we're all inherently competitive!) along with a reward system. Having a friendly competition between groups is a great way to do this while ensuring no one feels singled out or left out.^[4] The reward can be marks related or extra-curricular such as the opportunity to select their very own subject-related field trip.

"Incorporating technology in the classroom is definitely an advantage and it's about time we all use it to create a big virtual classroom!"

Apt parting words from the winner of the National Best e-Teacher award Ms Rashmi Kathuria for any teacher who wants to incorporate PC enabled interactive learning into their teaching. ^[5]