What grade do you teach? English 9, Advanced/Pre IB

Please upload a screenshot of your PBwiki:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's a video resource I use when teaching Hawthorne's "Young Goodman Brown."  It's difficult for students to connect with the Puritan's view of the Devil, but they have no problem seeing the connection when Mick Jaggers sings about the subject.

 

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What was your first experience setting up a wiki for your classroom, what did you learn?

I learned about wikis during a Professional Development seminar and then set one up within the week.  I organized the wiki so it matched the course curriculum - why confuse the students - and then populated it with 4th quarter materials.  I learned two things - first, setting up the wiki was very easy to do; second, as soon as I introduced the wiki in class the students began to use it.  The students made great use of the "contact wiki owner" email function.  

 

What lessons worked well with the wiki, which didn't?

Because I started late in the school year, I used the wiki to post announcements, and to attach files and links for student use.  This summer is devoted to creating collaborative projects for the upcoming semester.

 

Did you have a difficult time introducing PBwiki in your school?  If so, how did you convince your principal?

Introducing the wiki wasn't a problem.  I sent the three administrators "invites" after the wiki was established and asked for feedback.  All said "go" and the only problem was with the WebSense filter when I approached the wiki from within the intranet.  The principal sent an email to IS and the issue was resolved.  I actually received school board office instructional staff requests for invites so they could see how I was using the wiki.

 

How did your students adapt to using a wiki in the classroom?

Seamless.  The students "do" technology.

 

What should first time wiki users be aware of?

Managing the wiki takes time, so you'll need to plan for that.  But ... the time saved in the classroom is far greater than time spent managing the wiki.  Here's one scenario.  "If you lose your handout, or you're absent - the materials are on the wiki."  I did not hear two common questions after that - 

I lost my handout, may I have another one?

What did I miss when I was absent?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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