PBworks


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URL http://pbworks.com/ (PBworks was formerly called PBwiki)
Description "PBworks hosts more classroom workspaces than anyone else in the world, and lets you create a simple, secure workspace in about 60 seconds. Workspaces drive engagement and collaboration. A workspace is a live, evolving document – but gives you user tracking and access controls to monitor your workspace at all times. You can make your workspace public or private or anywhere in between. No matter what, PBworks keeps your students’ information safe."
Account Types  
Process
  1. Go to https://plans.pbworks.com/signup/edubasic20.
  2. Sign up for a free wiki.
  3. Select the basic settings and security levels for your wiki.
  4. Begin creating pages and adding content.
  5. Link the pages together by selecting the Insert/Edit Link icon.
  6. Invite others to collaborate by entering their email addresses in the Share this workspace area or on the Users settings page.

 

Suggested Uses for Inquiry Learning 

Have students use the images from the collection to connect to the background knowledge they have through analysis and synthesis of the primary sources in the classroom. This can be done individually, as a small group, or in a large group setting. using the digital images posted in the wiki for reference.
Students will brainstorm questions they have about the primary sources and record them for future study. They will be de-briefed in a large group setting and key questions will be posted on a class wiki.
Students will investigate the questions they have generated and list research resources on the wiki. Additionally they will then access these resources to answer their key questions on their own wiki and in the group blog.  In this manner students will use a wiki as a reference parking lot, and as a source for a journal spot for formative assessments.
Students will create a page on their wiki to use as a project development site. ON this page they will construct their argument to the key essential questions posted at the beginning of the unit. They are required to use a minimum of 4 primary sources in defense of their assigned thesis and all must be organized on their wiki for reference by their team partners and small group-debriefing session members.
Students will use their wiki as a presentation location for multiple widgits and/or methods of presenting their thesis to the large group.  
Students will reflect on what they have learned in this unit on their journal page of their wiki. Addionally, students will visit other students wikis to give feedback on the content of their presentations in a defined manner. Finally, students will use a section of their wiki to brainstorm ways that they could have improved their presentation and determine and list how they would change their project if they had the option to improve or expand upon it.

 

What Teachers Like About PBWorks

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Teacher Tips For Using the Tool

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Common Core State Standards

   

 

  

 

AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner

 

Content Collaboration
  • 1.3.4 - Contribute to the exchange of ideas within a learning community.
  • 3.1.2 - Participate and collaborate as members of a social and intellectual network of learners.
  • 3.1.4 - Use technology and other information tools to organize and display knowledge and understanding in ways that others can view, use and assess.
Organizing and Managing
  • 2.1.2 - Organize knowledge so that it is useful.
  • 2.1.4 - Use technology and other information tools to analyze and organize information.
  • 3.1.4 - Use technology and other information tools to organize and display knowledge and understanding in ways that others can view, use and assess.
Social Networking and Communication
  • 3.1.2 - Participate and collaborate as members of a social and intellectual network of learners
  • 4.1.7 - Use social networks and information tools to gather and share information
  • 4.3.1 - Participate in the social exchange of ideas, both electronically and in person.
Media Sharing
  • 2.1.4 - Use technology and other information tools to organize and display knowledge and understanding in ways that others can view, use and assess
  • 3.3.4 - Create products that apply to authentic, real-world context

 

ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) NETS Standards

   
   

 

Primary Sources Example

 

The Remembering Pearl Harbor Wiki was created by the TPS-Colorado staff to demonstrate how educators can use primary sources and online technologies to support the development of 21st Century Learning Skills. It contains various examples of student projects that were created using free software such as PBwiki, Wordpress, Wordle, and Google Earth. All of the educational content contained in the wiki is from an Annotated Resource Set called, "Pearl Harbor" that was created by Lindsay Linoff, Terri Welsh and Kathy Williams of Mesa Public Schools in Mesa, Arizona; however, some wording was added to provide explanations for using the tools.

 


 

 

 

Getting Started

 

 

 

Alternatives

Wikispaces "Wikis are simple web pages that groups, friends, and families can edit together. Starting your wiki at Wikispaces is fast, free, and easy."
Wordpress

From Wordpress.com:

"You can get a blog started in less time than it takes you to read this sentence. All you need is an email address."

 

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