Using Wikis for Collaborative Brainstorming

Lesson Title: Creating a Collaborative Brainstorm/Idea Chart


Type of Web 2.0 Tool: Wiki


Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.8.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 8 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.6-8.6 Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and present the relationships between information and ideas clearly and efficiently.

Brief Description of Overall Lesson:

To introduce a topic (for example- Middle School Discussing The Civil War Prior to reading Historical Fiction novel), begin by creating a Wiki for that topic. 

To encourage classroom participation and allow students to be more active users in sharing ideas, allow and encourage students to add ideas to the wiki (which would hopefully be shared on a smart board or projected so that the entire thing was visible to the entire classroom).  

Encourage students to write and discuss their ideas as they add them.  Allow for a conversation to occur while students add information.  Ask students to explain ideas and why it relates to your topic. 

Encourage 100% participation.