PBWiki

= Communication Tool: PBWorks/PBWiki = Group Members: Kelsey Brannon and Katie Dunbar

Screenshot **



Brief Introduction of the Tool
PBWorks is a collaborative learning tool for student to student, student to teacher, teacher to parent, or teacher to teacher interactions. It allows you to create a Wiki page that will be viewable from all computers. All individuals can edit the Wiki page and you know exactly who edited the page and when. PBWorks is free and secure because it can be set for public or private settings.


 * ===//Advantages of the Tool//===

One main advantage of PBWorks is that it allows multiple individuals to work together or communicate on an assignment or project. This work or communication can be done within the classroom or outside of the classroom. Because PBWorks allows for this collaboration outside of the classroom, it makes student learning much more effective. Class time does not always provide enough time to complete assignments. By having a collaborative page, students can work on it when they have time while seeing other contributions.

Another advantage of PBWorks is the short amount of time it takes to create. The website says a page can be created with 60 seconds! With needing only 60 seconds to create, this makes this tool very efficient. It allows for little time to be wasted getting things set up, and makes more time for working on the actual assignment.

A third advantage of PBWorks is the safety features. These safety features include a public or private setting for each Wiki page. This, in fact, enhances student learning because there is not fear of their work being seen by everyone. By using the privacy settings, they can make sure that only those they want to see it can see it.

A final advantage of PBWorks is the variety of people that can communicate with this tool. In a student to student interaction, they are enhancing their learning by working in a group with other students. It forces them to consider other students' opinions while providing their own beneficial ideas. In a student to teacher interaction, it enhances how the assignment are assessed. A teacher could make direct comments on the students' work for them to see things they need to improve on. In a teacher to teacher interaction, teachers can enhance their work with other teachers on similar subjects. Instead of finding a meeting time, a Wiki page would allow for quick editing and modifying. Finally, in a teacher to parent interaction, parents will always be informed of how their child is performing. This enhances the environment for everyone. Teachers feel more comfortable that their parents are involved, parents feel more comfortable that they know exactly what is going on, and students always know that their parents are communicating with their teacher.


 * ===//Disadvantages (limitations) of the Tool//===

Overall, this tool seems very beneficial. However, one disadvantage of this tool is the need to always have a computer with internet access. This may be an issue at home because not all students or parents will have a computer. This could require students to go somewhere else where they can get access to a computer with internet access.

A second disadvantage of PBWorks is that it is not kid-friendly. This type of tool is more appropriate for older aged students and adults. For teacher younger elementary students, this type of tool may be difficult. It would also be difficult to incorporate in a special education classroom with the students.

Application of the Tool in Your Subject Area
PBWorks can be integrated into special education by connecting the teachers of the students in special education together. For example, if a particular student has a learning disability and he or she moves from class to class, the teachers can communicate to each other about the student's progress. PBWorks will allow the teachers to communicate with each other about any concerns they may have or questions.

PBWorks could also keep both teachers and parents informed about a particular student's progress. If a parent has a problem or question, he or she can log on to PBWorks and collaborate with their child's teacher. This will allow for parents to keep in contact with their child's teacher much easier. Teachers will also be able to contact a student's parents much more efficiently. For example, if there is important information to be sent home with a child with a disability, to ensure that the parents of that student recieves the information, the teacher can update their workspace. If they regularly update their workspace, parents will always be up-to-date with what is going on in their child's classroom.

Find a Tutorial on YouTube
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===//List of Key Features Showed in the YouTube Video://===

This YouTube video explains exactly what PBWorks is and its features. The woman in the tutorial walks you through step-by-step to create a new PBWorks workspace. The website she is working from is PBWiiki, which is the older version of PBWorks, but you can still follow along well. After watching teh video, you will be able to:

- sign-up for your own PBWorks account - start your own free wiki page - how to add text/pictures/videos to your workspace - how to allow people to access your page - add links onto your page - how to post information and collaborate with people

Useful Resources
1. [] This website is very interesting because it provides short video clips on using Wikis in the classroom. Individuals can then subscribe to the Atomic Learning site to watch more video clips on how to best incorporate Wikis.

2. [] This website is a forum conducted by an educator who wanted to know the educational differences between Wikispaces and PBWorks. This site is very informative for learning the ins-and-outs of PBWorks from other educators perspectives.

3. [] This website provides a user manual for people trying to use PBWorks. The main idea that is explained on this website is how to add classroom accounts. Classroom accounts are perfect for younger classrooms where students cannot provide e-mail addresses.