Workin' With Wikispaces

When I was first introduced to Wikispaces, it was in one of McRel's Professional Development sessions in 2010.  We were shown a video of the basic concept of wikis (you know, the one about getting ready for camping).  I thought it was a great tool to use in class, especially if a group is editing a paper or putting together a project.  My obstacles were arduous though.  Students did not have laptops yet.  The internet service at the school was very unreliable.  Teachers did not get an in depth training on how to integrate technology in the classroom.  Teachers did not how to manage the different products suggested.  I can go on and on.  For the few teachers who embraced the change, ideas waltzed in and out of their heads and in some cases, used them in class.  For the others who were resistant to the movement of "Technology in the Classroom," a form of amnesia apparently developed in their brains and forgot all about the training afterwards.  However, for the majority, the problem was that they wanted to integrate, but were hesitant, afraid, or too intimidated to do so.
I digress.  Jane Hill of McRel first made it possible for me to actually use Wikispaces in 2011 with the Striving Readers/ELL Cohort.  By getting my feet wet, I realized that it was not difficult to navigate.  It was easy to manage.  It was very useful.  I learned so many strategies, techniques, and gained new tools from other teachers throughout the CNMI.  The issue came in when the vision of the Wiki began to dim.  With everything else that teachers needed to do, they did not participate enough and as a result, it became idle.  The tool itself is awesome and builds integration and cooperation with students.  If consistency is not practiced enough, the effectiveness of the tool will be compromised.  In addition, without internet, it is impossible for it to be accessed.  I think Wiki is one of those things that needs to be approached with QFIC.

Here is my wikispaces page: http://mrssantosrhs.wikispaces.com/

Here is the screencast for the How to Wikispace: http://screencast.com/t/BBGp85PCzr