Thing 21 Wikis

Describe a wiki you found that inspires you to create one of your own. What hurdles might stand in the way of your using a wiki? What would it take to remove the hurdles? Is it worth the fight?

I couldn't stop looking at all the ideas and great projects students and educators are doing. I skimmed through the entire list and ended up checking out 15 different wikis from the Examples of Educational Wikis. I saw several examples of librarians using a wiki to have students respond to what they are reading and encourage reading. Summer Reading TMS was the best and it might be something I might try. Students in each grade level all read the same book and worked as a group to discuss and summarize the book. I also saw another wiki for HS students called Booktalking with You. It would be a great site for HS students to visit for suggestions for books to read. I will probably add this to my page on the HS website. I also looked at some great wikis for instruction in using web 2.0 tools adding to my knowledge of what is out their for free. I will definitely go back to eToolBox and CreativeWebTools for and By Kids. I will also go back to teachlibrary a wiki created by Pittsburg Public Schools providing lesson plans for library skills for the 21st Century. I only read a couple topics and found some good suggestions. Most of the wikis were huge projects but, I felt Mr. Monson's Grade 5 Classroom Wiki: Thousands Project, and 1000 Names were simple wiki's that anyone could look at and get an idea to create their own. I also thought MWV Science Fair Wiki was an incredible way for students to do and plan their Science Fair Project.

I am not ready to jump into this with my elementary library classes. I feel it might be a little more than I want to tackle this year. In the future I may try to create something like the 1000 names project done by first and second graders or, possibily create something library related similar to Mr. Monson's grade 5 Classroom Wiki: Thousands Project. Time will tell. I never seem to find enough.