1. Simply put: a wiki is a web page that is easy to create, change, and expand.

2. A wiki edits as simply as a word document and can be shared or private. Just remember: "Edit" and "Save."

3. A wiki can host words, audio, images, videos, and embedded "toys" such as Voki's, google gadgets or surveys!

4. Wiki technology can be free--provided you have access to the Internet.

5. Some wiki providers allow educators to create email accounts for their students, so it can be "safe" or somewhat "controlled" space online.

6. The history function in most wikis provides an excellent tool for teachers to understand how their students are participating in a wiki.

Watch this Common Craft video

Common Craft synthesizes all sorts of technology.

• Wikis allow any person to communicate or collaborate in multiple formats (text, video, audio, graphic displays, slideshows, RSS feeds etc.)-- with as wide an audience as desired -- for free.

• The emphasis is on production and editing, so the quality of products can be very high.

• Many students today, as digital natives, prefer to work online. And if they do their work on a wiki the dog can't eat it!

• In a password protected shared wiki the teacher/administrator can see who did what, when.
  

• They are free, accessible anywhere, anytime, and can reduce the amount of grading you need to do! Really! Would you rather grade one group project done well by six people or six separate projects by those individuals?

• Wikis encourage creativity and provide multiple means of demonstrating competency. Exceptional learners can use many online tools to facilitate their success at sharing what they know.

• Wikis afford multiple opportunities for students to work collaboratively on small or large projects in groups of any size.
  

• If you are a K-12 teacher, parents/grandparents love to see what their children are doing and a wiki even encourages their participation.