How-to video: Creating and using a page template on a wiki
Brief synopsis: When conducting professional development on web-based instruction, I'm often asked what separates a wiki from other classroom web sites, like blogs and online communities. This question has a lengthy answer because of the myriad of tools wikis possess. One of the tools I like to note is the wiki's page template feature. Unlike most Web 2.0 applications, wikis make page creation abundantly easy. The page template gives users the power to design a wiki web page with graphics and content that can be used multiple times, without re-creating the existing content. For example, teachers who use charts and graphs might create page templates for these, so the chart or graph does not have to be re-created each time the activity is being completed. Wiki users can open the page template and add content to it, saving it under a new name.
Benefits: Page templates allow users to create repeatable content. That is, the wiki user can design a page one time and reproduce that page over and over with one click of a mouse. Then, the template is saved under a different name, so additional content can be added. Page templates save users and teachers time.
Drawbacks: There are some "tricks" to creating a template that can be difficult for inexperienced wiki users. Template securities must be set appropriately when the template is first created, so other users who are not administrators can use the template. Often, newbie wiki administrators forget this step.
Conclusion: The how-to video above demonstrates how to create and use a wiki page template.
blog comments powered by Disqus
