Wiki+Workshop+3


 * Tuesday 15 June 2011**

During Wiki Workshop 2 we did a fantastic job of adding "bling" to our class wikis! We also added some links to activities the children could use either during class, as part of a rotation or at home.

This time we are going to explore some free web tools that give the teacher the ability to direct student's learning. These particular web tools allow us to select and set activities and content that supports what we are learning about in class. One of these tools even allows us to track student's progress and achievement.

The first one that we are going to look at is:



'Command + click' on the link above.

This is the basic Spelling City website that allows you to type in your own spelling words to learn, practise, play a game with and be tested on your words.
 * Try typing in 5 words to practise with (the enter/return button allows you to add more than 3 words!)
 * Try a 'Spelling Test' (you can print a certificate at the end if you choose)
 * Try 'Teach Me' (this can generate handwriting sheets, teach you letter by letter or allow you to print your list)
 * Try 'Play a game' (lots of free activities all based on your spelling words)

This would all be fantastic if you could rely on your students to type their words in correctly each time! You can create your own spelling lists or use spelling lists created by other members.

'Command + click' on the following link: [] This is my spelling city account where I have added all of the essential spelling lists and added some more independent lists for those who are ready for them.

You are welcome to link directly to all or any of the lists I have created. However, if you would like to create your own lists you will need to create an account. Creating an account is easy, you can add yourself as a teacher from Kairanga School to see the lists being created by each other.

Let's work through the process of creating an account now and try creating a list for our students to use.

Let's add a link onto our wiki so that our students can easily access their words: 1. Make sure have clicked on the list you want the students to use 2. Highlight the url in the address bar and click 'command + c' to copy 3. Use the key combination, 'command + shift + 4' to bring up a screenshot crosshair 4. Drag the crosshair across the title of the spelling list to take a screenshot that you can use on your wiki page (this will send the screenshot to your desktop) 5. Click back onto the tab where your wiki is displayed 6. Click the 'File' button and then click the '+ Upload Files' button (this will bring up a Finder window) 7. Click on 'Desktop' (to be found under 'Places' in the Finder window) 8. You should be able to see the Screenshot image (it will be named Screenshot!) 9. Double click on the screenshot image to upload it (wait while uploads the screenshot, it will originally say, "No files found" but it will then pop up) 10. Click once on the screenshot to add it to your page 11. Adjust the alignment, the size and then click 'add link' 12. Click on the 'external link' tab then use the key combination, 'command + v' to paste in the url of the scholastic site 13. Finally, click 'Add link' and then 'Save'

The second web tool is:



This website, which was originally started in Australia and now has a base in NZ, allows you to upload your students with usernames and passwords so that you can set them numeracy, literacy (and more) tasks that suit their individual needs.
 * You can track their progress and see what activities they are struggling with
 * Each student makes an avatar to represent them and play basic fact games against other students
 * They earn points from doing the activities that allow them to buy extra bling
 * They can print off certificates to mark their achievements

'Command + click' on the link above to go to the main study ladder site.

'Command + click' [|here] to see Michael's class login page. This is as far as you can go unless you know the passwords.

Please start a 'Discussion' topic on how you are feeling about Spelling City and Study Ladder and how it might be beneficial for your class.