Why+Wikispaces?

**What exactly is a Wikispaces website?**

 * ====It is an educational technology tool that allows you to create a class website which will help you manage content and measure and improve learning outcomes.====
 * ====It is a group of web pages with “edit” buttons on them.You may want a place to keep information about your courses, or to easily manage your class's schedules.====
 * ====It is simple enough for anyone to use, but has enough sophistication so that you can be creative and get things done.====
 * ====You can collaborate with anyone you choose on your wikispace (e/g., your users).====
 * ====Once users join your Wikispaces website (it's easy), they can read your content.====
 * ====They can respond to it and participate in class discussions via the DISCUSSION tab (see tabs at the top of the screen)====
 * ====You can create pages for each of your users.====
 * ====Your users can access their pages and upload content.====
 * ====Your users can access each others' pages and respond to content (facilitates collaborative learning and whole group "discussions").====
 * ====If you are looking for more about what a wiki is, Common Craft has a simple and clear explanation. Take a look at their [|video].====
 * ====Also see [|the list] of examples of wikis in higher education.====

**How can I use a Wikispaces website as part of my instruction?**

 * ====Let's take a look at the Southern German Baroque demo. It is a basic example of a class website which contains====
 * ====a **content** page with course description====
 * ====**instructor** pages (bios, video taped message, office hours, and contact info====
 * ====**class** pages (policies, syllabus & schedule, assignments, and a discussion page where you can conduct asynchrononus instruction)====
 * ====**student** pages (where your students can post portfolio work and projects and upload completed assignments).====