Information+about+WIKIs

== This information is from http://www.education.vic.gov.au/ ==

What is a Wiki?
A wiki is a web space where people can work together to build and publish information and content. **Wikipedia**, the web-based encyclopaedia that almost anyone with Internet access can edit, is a well known example of a wiki. Whilst Wikipedia is a worldwide collaboration, it is possible for teachers to set up their own smaller wikis to allow two students, a whole class or multiple classes to work together. All you need to create a wiki is a computer with internet access and a web browser. Watch this Teachertube video: [|Wikis in plain English] for more information.

How do you create or contribute to a Wiki?
Given that wikis allow users to work on, modify, and overwrite each other’s work there is a need for agreed “Rules of engagement” by students and teachers. Contributors need to understand that their words may be deleted and changed by others. This certainly challenges traditional ideas on ownership of a text. They also need to appreciate that by contributing to a Wiki, their work could potentially be read by millions of readers.
 * **If you want to create a wiki** - find a space which hosts wikis such as [|Wikispaces for Educators] (Australian creator) or [|Pb Wiki] (US based) and sign up.
 * **If you want to contribute to a wiki** - find a host with established wiki collaborative activities, sign up and choose an interesting topic.
 * Once signed up. Click on the 'edit' link to add content to pages. You and other contributors can also comment on pages using the 'discussion' link at the top of every page.
 * When setting up your space you can choose to have the access public, protected or private. Public can be viewed and edited by anyone. (And we mean anyone!!!). Protected can be viewed by all but only members "invited" in can edit. The private space can only be seen and edited by space members. As a space organizer, you may change your space's settings, look and feel and "invited" people to be members of your space.
 * You edit wikis in a browser, without the need for specialised programs;
 * Wikis keep a chronological history for every page, so nothing is lost forever, no changes can be completely destructive, and revisions can always be undone;
 * Wikis include a discussion area, so there can be a dialogue about changes before, during, and after they are being made;
 * And finally, you can monitor a wiki or a particular page and receive notification of any changes to that page--which is why an error in a site like Wikipedia can be corrected in a matter of a few minutes