A Cyberpilgrim's Blog

Wikis in Your Religion Classroom

What is a wiki?

Well I love the Wikis in Plain English Video!  Watch it now to learn more about what is an editable webpage/site that is great for collaboration.

To learn more about what wiki you might use, you could use the WikiMatrix.  The three wiki’s that are often recommended are:

• Wikispaces
• PB Wiki, and
• Wetpaint

To learn more about these wikis, check these titles on the left side of the WikiMatrix and click on the compare button.

Your screen will show a comparison of these tools covering the areas of:

• General Features
• Hosting Features
• Security/Anti Spam
• Development/Support
• Common Features
• Special Features
• Links
• Syntax Features
• Usability
• Statistics
• Output
• Media and Files
• Extras, and
• Syntax Examples

Your goal is to choose a wiki that will help you to complete the project you are working on.  Once you have chosen a tool, then you need to decide on a project.

Wiki Project Ideas

Often it is helpful to search the websites to see what projects are already listed.  Just having the opportunity to study what others have done, will give you some ideas of what you may want to do with your class.

Following are examples from both Christian and Catholic Schools who have used a wiki with their students.

David Lipscomb Campus School in Nashville, Tennessee.  Here you will find various examples of what classrooms are working on with a wiki.  The mission of David Lipscomb Campus School is to serve students so that they may master knowledge and skills appropriate to them and become Christ-like in attitude and behavior.

As you explore the varied wiki projects, look for the wiki’s that are focused on the subject of religion –

• Mr. Parham’s Senior Bible Case for Faith, and
• Mr. Abood’s 7th grade Bible class

Checkout the FlatPlanet Project with two classes:

• Mr O’Carroll’s class are from Grade 12 of Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary School in Oakville, Ontario, Canada.
• Mr D’Aguiar’s Class are from Year 10 of Richard Challoner Secondary School, in New Malden, Surrey, United Kingdom.

The aim of the project was to use the internet to work together and explore:

• Current Environmental Issues
• The way these issues are being dealt with in the respective countries
• Exploration of any International Agreements on these issues
• The Catholic Moral Responsibility for these issues

The article – 50 Ways to Use Wikis for a More Collaborative & Interactive Classroom will provide you with 50 different ideas.  No, they are not for a religion classroom.  However, as I read through the suggestions, mentally I was translating them to fit the needs of the religion classroom.  For example:

• Virtual Field Trips.  Have your students research pilgrimage locations they would like to go on a pilgrimage (or field trip), and get them to share images and information about the location.  Or,
• Classroom Scrapbook. Invite your students to share news about what they are involved in at their parish, include photos of their activities, and talk about their current achievements in their religion classroom on a wiki page.

Now that you have some ideas of what you might do with a wiki in your Religion class, plan for what you can do with this tool.  We look forward to hearing your story here in the comments section.  Remember, you can come back to this section and add your comments after you have completed a Wiki Project with your students.  Good luck!

Copyright ©2011 Caroline Cerveny