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= Welcome to the Digital Literacy For all Page! =

__What are wikis?__

 * Wikis allow a group or organization to collaborate, coordinate and organize input from various sources. Anyone can edit, delete or modify the content being shared on the wiki page.

__Ways to use Wikis: __

 * Teachers use wiki pages to post assignments and newsletters
 * Provide "safe" links for resources for students to use for their assignments
 * Show student work
 * A way for parents to "sign up" for conferences, projects, or activities going on in the classroom
 * A wiki will allow groups to manage a project or plan an event
 * Use the Discussion tab for collaboration on a project, book, or topic
 * Let students write a story via a Wiki
 * Check out these ways that educators have already implemented wikis [|Wikis in the Classroom]

**__Positives of Wikis__**

 * An earth friendly alternative to publishing information-KD
 * Wikis are quick and easy to use for everyone, tech savy or not --KD
 * Wiki can be thought of as a combination of a Web site and a Word document-FL
 * At its simplest, it can be read just like any other web site, with no access privileges necessary-FL
 * Its real power lies in the fact that groups can collaboratively work on the content of the site using just a standard web browser-FL
 * Very user friendly anyone can setup a wiki in minutes-FL
 * It's easy, efficient, and intuitive to use. Every user gets a voice and everyone's contribution is seen, heard, and can be commented upon-FL
 * Wikis make it easy to keep all your information current and accurate-FL
 * Knowledge doesn't get buried in emails, locked into file systems, hard drives or servers, intranets or extranets, or closed in more specialised data management systems and knowledge management systems-FL
 * Wikis are also exceptionally flexible. You can customise them and also connect a wiki to other applications, databases, and file systems-FL
 * Share content, knowledge and files anytime, anywhere-FL
 * Multiple authors have a voice and can make editing changes. CB

**__Negatives of Wikis__**

 * Design and layout options are limited-KD
 * The table option is cumbersome compared to other web development tools-KD
 * Anyone can edit a Wiki so this may be too open for some applications, for example confidential documentation-FL
 * Open to SPAM and Vandalism if not managed properly-FL
 * It requires Internet connectivity to collaborate-FL
 * Conscious of privacy and security-FL
 * Limited font's-FL
 * Limited space on the server unless you pay for large amounts of server space then it becomes expensive-FL

Kim Davis