FAQs+for+Student+Editors

What is a wiki?
According to Wikipedia, which is a wiki itself, "A wiki is a website that allows the creation and editing of any number of interlinked web pages...often used collaboratively by multiple users...The word //wiki// is a Hawaiian word meaning //quick// or //fast."//

We are using this wiki in American history class to share our learnings and our RAFT assignment because "together we are smarter" This is an awesome way for us to see how a wiki works. The history will be saved, which shows all the changes made to this wiki. In fact, click on the HISTORY navigation bar across the top and look at the history so far. Anyone in the world can see the wiki and the changes made, but you have to be a member to edit it. As long as you contribute responsibly, the wiki will grow and get better. Irresponsible or inaccurate contributions will be replaced with contributions by students with better understanding.

How do I contribute to this wiki?
This question probably is asked in two different ways. First, the answer is KNOW YOUR CONTENT.
 * Learn a lot about a rebellion so you can share your knowledge here.
 * [|Diigo Resources]

Second, some people want to know how to use the wikispaces site. Here are a few easy steps:
 * Click on a page in the navigation bar on the left that you want to add to. Then click on the EDIT button at the top to make changes. Finally, SAVE your content.
 * Add additional pages, as needed.
 * Add hyperlinks to outside websites or internal pages.
 * You can also embed Glogs, videos, quizzes, maps, and surveys. Anything you can do on your blog, you can do here.
 * Some widgets are available. Just remember the content we are striving for. (No hamsters or glitter names, for instance, unless it directly or indirectly relates to our theme.
 * Ask a friend, experiment, ask a teacher. We are all learning this together.
 * Engage! Dare to care and learn something new!

How does the grading work?
As your teacher has told you many times before, grades are the least important thing in your learning environment. You will get a good grade if you are fully engaged--creating and contributing. If you are only worrying about grades, you'll probably not do as well. Here is the checklist of questions your teacher will ask before adding a grade to the grade book. (Percentages show which items are weighted more heavily.)
 * 1) You've made your own contributions to the wiki pages about the rebellions--no cutting and pasting from elsewhere on the Internet. (20%)
 * 2) RAFT assignment complete and added to the wiki or linked to the wiki. (40%)
 * 3) Creativity in adding your contribution. Think outside the box--acting, video, artwork, music, poetry. Anything you are interesting in creating can work, if you make it tie in to the rebellion. (10%)
 * 4) Engagement in learning to use the wiki. (10%)
 * 5) Accurate and responsible additions to the wiki. (10%)
 * 6) Time invested in contributing. Class time used widely. Outside work, as needed. (10%)

What is RAFT?
RAFT is an acronym for an assignment that you can do to show what you've learned. It is a full menu of ideas that will help you pick just the right one for you--one that you will enjoy, will help you learn, and will give you a product to share with the world when you finish. RAFT stands for Role, Audience, Format, and Topic. Much more information here.

What is DWTS?
Dancing With the Stars. I thought Tristan said something good in his elimination speech on 11/8/11, so I quoted it on the wiki. He said, "It's not about being the best. It's about doing your best."

Why do we join so many websites?
Because I want you to be a leader in the global community. I want you to have a powerful, safe, and positive digital footprint.

What are we doing with Diigo?
We just use Diigo as a place to have links that are easy to get to. There are many ways to do this. I just like to use [|Diigo to share websites with you].