Using a Wiki to Manage Collaborative Class Projects

If you want students to learn by working together on a collaborative class project, consider using a Wiki. A Wiki is a website where students can create, read, link, and edit each others webpages.  A great video overview on Wikis is from Common Craft.  If you want the business perspective on the importance of collaboration, then you should follow the work of Don Tapscott and read his book, Wikinomics.

As a teacher,  you just have to set up an initial class Wiki project page and then let the students create their own team page and then individual student, or team member, pages. The students design their own pages and can read, edit, and comment on each others pages.  As a teacher, you can also read, edit, and comment on student pages.  However, you can also view changes to all pages and even "revert" to an earlier version if necessary.  

Some of the advantages of using a Wiki are as follows:

1. Motivation. Students can see what their peers are doing, which provides some peer motivation and competition. 
2. Communication. Students and teachers can provide 7-24 feedback, updates, and questions. 
3. Collaboration. Students can share ideas, create a plan to manage their project, reply to comments, and see each others progress. 

To get a better idea on how I use Wikis in class, watch Wiki Work With Gill.  Although I use the PBWorks Wiki application, any hosted Wiki system should be fine.  Enjoy!