Wikis

I've only used Wiki's in class to submit homework assignments on my Teacher's class Wiki site.  After reading more on Wiki's it is obvious this creation is a great tool! In the first article I read, they talk about Wiki's improving in students' writing skills, improvement in the student' sharing of ideas, critical feedback, confidence and greater motivation to participate in actives.  As teachers, we are always commenting on the importance of student engagement and motivation.  This is an exceptionally well developed tool to enhance students interest in completing an assignment.  

I feel that Wiki's can be used educationally in many different ways. First, Wiki's can be used the way I have used them.  The teacher sets up a Class Wiki Page with all the assignments, an explanation, a rubric and the due date.  The students can simply go in and "edit" or submit their assignment to the correct page.  It is a very organized way to submit paperless assignments! Second, Wiki's can be used by teachers to create a whole lesson or project. Students are able to easily navigate their way through the whole lesson/project.  Third, Wiki's can be used in classrooms to formulate a group collaborative project.  Wiki's allow each student to access and edit the workspace at different times and in different locations.  
Examples of Wiki pages used by teachers:
Example 1 
Example 2
Example 3 

My group used PBWORKS to create our Wiki on TubeChop. Pbworks was a great way for each group member to contribute their own part of the project.  It was easy and fast for us to complete the project due to the ability to add edit a different page at the same time while being home on our own computers. 

You never really think of Wikipedia as a Wiki...but that's exactly what it is! Many people always say never to use Wikipedia as a source of information because no one really knows how accurate that information is.  Wikipedia is a Wiki page that everyone in the world has access to as long as they have internet.  I think it's fascinating that there is one page that literally everyone in the world has access to.  Someone can edit and change anything they want while someone in Australia can do the same exact thing a few seconds later.  This makes you think that Wiki's are a great from of communication as well!  I'll admit, I love Wikipedia!