SEMINAR 8. WIKIWiki is a web technology used for collaborative publishing on the web. Wiki is a type of server software that allows you to work with data on a remote server on the Web. Users interact with the software through a web interface that lets them read, edit and publish content.

Genres of WIKI sites include Encyclopedias, Corporate wikis, Fan wikis,Educational wikis.      

Wikis have a wide range of educational applications, most of which can be combined within one wiki site.  The following activities can be fulfilled on one platform without significant interference and thereby can form a part of an integrated educational resource:

• Student's Profiles
• Student's Portfolios
• Course Grade Book
• Dynamic Syllabus
  and Course Authoring Environment
• Project Space
• Discussion Board

FREE WIKI TOOLS

• Wikispaces proves to be one of the best, highly reliable, easy to use and intuitive free wiki platforms to use as your wiki platform. With at least 100 MB of file storage space, it can prove sufficient for most academic needs of a small group. Recent classroom-oriented updates makes Wikispates your top choice for classroom wiki use.
• Wikia offers a more modern look, has more features and a vast fan base for attracting commercially active communities — Twilight fans, healthy food fans and alike. Less suitable for educational use for incessant advertising on every page of your wiki.
• ZohoWiki provides state-of-the-art interface and functions for a modern corporate-inclined wiki. Best for tech-savvy classrooms.
• Wiki Site is a native WikiMedia-based free wiki hosting with limited features and resources. 

• WikiDot offers free plans for wiki sites with advertising. Standard wiki functionality.

TEFLPedia — A great example of a professional teachers’ community that comes together by means of a wiki site. 

Teflpedia is a wiki dedicated to everything associated with teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) or second language (TESL). Our objective is to become a major user-generated resource for English teachers from all over the world.

You could:

1. Have a look at our list of websites that provide free lessons - they may help you with your next lesson.
2. Sign in, create a userpage and use it to advertise yourself. Teflpedia allows discrete use of self-promotion on your own userpage.
3. Upload a lesson of yours to show the world your creative abilities.
4. Learn how to edit a wiki - Wikis are growing in popularity, and this is an excellent place to learn wiki-editing skills.
5. Contribute to the growth of something new and be involved in this in its earlier years.
6. Write an article about something you've recently learnt - a good way to make sure you have learnt or understood something is to write an article about it and get it peer-reviewed.
7. Teflpedia has articles which include advice for new teachers.
8. For the most experienced teachers out there, i.e. those of you who have been there, seen it and done it all - yes, you know who you are - Teflpedia serves as a quick reference providing useful links to an almost infinite number of resources and dedicated websites available on internet. You'll find tried-and-tested ideas for warmers, wordlists, pronunciation exercises, and the odd cultural aspect of the UK or the US that you might develop for use in class, among other interesting stuff.
9. Participate in our ongoing debates.
10. Pop into our teachers' room to get feedback on any ideas, concerns or just for that friendly chat over a cuppa.