Wikis in the Classroom

A wiki is a collaborative website set up to allow multiple people or even the general public to edit and contribute content. It is site-oriented in the sense that it consists of multiple pages that can be created and organized according to the needs of the project. It is edit-oriented in the sense that any contributor’s content can be edited by anyone who has access to the password.

Setting up a Wiki

Go to the home page for PowerPointers' host, PBWiki and enter a name for your wiki. Then, enter your e-mail address and click Make a Wiki. A confirmation e-mail will be sent in which you will be given a link. Follow it and you will be prompted for a password. Once you have chosen a password, click Take Me to My Wiki. You have now finished setting up your wiki.

Editing Your Wiki

Log in to your wiki on the PBWiki website. If you want to edit the main page, simply click the Edit Page tab on the top menu. If you want to create new pages for your wiki, click the New Page tab on the top menu. For commands to help you compose material for a page, please refer the Wiki Commands handout in this binder.

Adding an Image

Log in to your wiki on the PBWiki website. Go to the page to which you want to add an image and click Edit Page. Click the hyperlink Add Images. Next, browse to the picture on your computer that you want to upload, and click Upload. Go back to the page to which you would like to add the image. On the right side of the screen, you should be able to see your picture (if not, click Show All). Click on the picture to insert it into your page. Note: If you are using an image from the internet, proper wiki etiquette suggests that you (a) have permission to use the image, and (b) save the image to your own computer, upload it to your wiki, and insert it via the method described above, rather than linking to the image as a URL. Linking to display images on others’ websites, blogs or wikis uses up their bandwidth and they may pay a price for your usage.

Uploading Files

Log in to your wiki on the PBWiki website. Click on the Files button at the top of the page. Browse to the file you want to add and click Upload. To provide a link for visitors to view or download the file, click on the page you would like to add the link to, and then click on Edit Page. On the right side of the screen, click on the file that you want to add to your page. PBWiki will automatically add this file.