1.+Instructions

 **﻿ How to Create a wiki** =**Background** = What is a wiki? It is a web space where many users can collaborate to edit pages as a group easily on the Web, sharing ideas, photos, links and resources. Simply put, this is an excellent resource for educators to integrate technology with their classroom and foster collaboration among your students.

= How do I use a wiki in my Classroom? = There are multitudes of ways you can use a wiki in your classroom. You can create the wiki simply for resources for your class, or you can create one to have your students participate in the creation of content. This template gives an example of a simple classroom structure. Visit the website links provided on the homepage for examples of educational wikis.

= Before you begin = Draw out your wiki ideas on paper. What do you want the wiki pages to look like?

First start with an outline (use our Navigation Bar on the right as an example). Think of a Table of Contents. That is what the Navigation Bar is really for. Look at our Navigation Bar: Curriculum, Resources, Classmates, School Events, etc. You can use this web site as an idea for a simple structure of your Wiki, or you can create your own topics.

Once you have written out your Table of Contents, create a sheet of paper for each item. For instance you will have a piece of paper for Curriculum. Draw a picture of what you want that page to look like. Include a Heading, draw boxes for image placeholders for pictures you want to use. Write the text. Think of how you want the page to look, which files you will link to? Lesson 1, Lesson 2, etc. Keep the design simple. You can easily add/subtract to your pages later. Keep in mind you won't have a lot of control of object placement (pictures) with the free version of a Wikispaces, so try to think of a Left Alignment structure in the beginning.

** Organize your electronic documents ** On your computer create a wiki folder. In that folder, place copies of the pictures you will use on your pages, pdf files, word documents, whatever electronic medium you plan to use for your wiki classroom. This is helpful because when you go to build the wiki, everything will be available and the creation will go very fast. The files you place in this folder you will upload to the Wikispace. About the Navigation Bar  By default, wiki pages are sorted alphabetically after the Home page on the wiki Navigation Bar. So if you want to control the order of how items appear on your Nav Bar, the easiest way is to name the pages as shown on the Navigation Bar on the right, with an ordered list.  ﻿If when you name your pages, you omit the numbers, your Navigation pages will appear in alphabetical order. There are detailed instructions of how to sort the Navigation bar available in the Wiki Help; however, those instructions are more complicated than simply creating the numeric list like we've done here on our Nav Bar.

=﻿﻿**Create an account** = To create a wiki, you must first register on a wiki site. This illustration demonstrates using wikispaces.com. After you register, make sure you are logged into your account. When you select Create a New Wiki you will type the Wiki Name and Select the Wiki Permissions. Protected is the best method if you want to keep control of the classroom. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">

=<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Edit Navigation** =

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As a new user, you should never need to Edit the Navigation bar of your Wiki. Once you know how to work with a Wiki, you can play with this later.

=<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Create Content** =
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Select the New Page and start typing! When you have finished, Save.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To put a picture in the page, choose File. If you already uploaded your file from your local computer, you can select the file. If you do not see the file, you must click UPLOAD, and navigate to the folder that has your picture or document you want to place in your Wiki Page.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To create a link to a website, click the LINK button, choose the EXTERNAL LINK tab, and paste your URL into the ADDRESS area, make sure you click the box NEW WINDOW so the user does not leave your Wikispace.

=<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Manage wiki** = <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Think of this as the place that gives you all of the options.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Rename your Pages of the Wiki or delete them
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Upload to the FILES area so you have quick access to the resources for the Wiki
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Manage the THEME of colors on the Wiki

=<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Content Area (Located under Manage Wiki)** = <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**PAGES -** Manage your pages - rename a page, delete a page <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**FILES** - You can upload files to your Wiki here - your documents you want to share, pictures, etc.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For further detailed help, use the Help feature on the main Wiki Navigation Bar (horizontal tool bar - upper right side)

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">//Last updated: 11/18/2010//