Evaluation of Communication Tool "Wikispaces"

Wikispaces

What is Wikispaces?

Wikispaces is an easy to use, modern platform with familiar web tools. It has a visual editor that lets you collaborate with peers and use content from other online sources. The social newsfeed lets you follow your learners thinking in a safe space. It also has monitoring tools that allow you to see who is working and how much they are contributing as individuals.

How could Wikispaces be used in the classroom?

Wikispaces could be used to collaborate on a project, show what learners know by setting up wiki’s for passion projects, it can be used as a space to collect links and it can also serve as a simple classroom web page.

Rubric

EDU 568 Communication Tool Rubric Group 4
Characteristics	4	3	2	1	Score
Purpose	I can communicate with a global audience.	I can communicate with a select audience.	I can give information to a global audience but can not receive feedback.	I can give information to a select audience.	4
Usability and Navigation	I can easily navigate the tool the tool is very intuitive.	With a little practice the tool is easy to navigate.	The tool can be used and navigated with assistance.	Very hard to use even with practice.	2
Appropriateness	The communication tool is appropriate for all 5 age levels included: Early Elementary, Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School and Adult Learners	The communication tool is appropriate for 4 of the age levels included: Early Elementary, Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School and Adult Learners	The communication tool is appropriate for 3 of the age levels included: Early Elementary, Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School and Adult Learners	The communication tool is appropriate for 1-2 of the age levels included: Early Elementary, Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School and Adult Learners	3
Help/Support	Support is readily available to guide you through using the tool.	Support can be found if searched for, but is not instantaneous.	Support is limited.	There is no support.	3
Information Sharing	The tool allows users to link to other sites such as Facebook, Twitter & Blogs and compresses URLs into shortened links (bitly).	The tool allows users to link to other sites such as Facebook, Twitter & Blogs.	The tool only allows limited links to other sites.	The tool does not allow linking to other sites.	3
Safety/Monitoring	Allows monitoring & editing by teacher/gatekeeper.	Allows teacher monitoring but limited editing.	Allows teacher monitoring but no editing capabilities.	No ability for teacher to monitor or edit.	4
Cost	Unlimited free accounts for students, staff & parents. Unlimited cloud storage.	Some options are free or cost is minimal.	Minimal fee for all accounts.	Annual fee.	4
Design	The communication tool meets all of the criteria listed: It is neat and organized, simple and not overstuffed,the background does not interfere with the text, and the layout is visually appealing.	The communication tool meets 3 of the criteria listed: It is neat and organized, simple and not overstuffed,the background does not interfere with the text, and the layout is visually appealing.	The communication tool meets 2 of the criteria listed: It is neat and organized, simple and not overstuffed,the background does not interfere with the text, and the layout is visually appealing..	The communication tool meets 1 or none of the criteria listed: It is neat and organized, simple and not overstuffed,the background does not interfere with the text, and the layout is visually appealing.	3
Accessability	I can access the tool from any device, does not require an application, and fast instant notification of communication.	I can access the tool from most common devices, may require an application to be downloaded and receive notifications if the application is open.	I can access the tool from only one kind of device, application is required to be downloaded, and only can receive notifications if application is open and refreshed.	I can access the tool form only one kind of device and it is glitchy. It requires an application to be downloaded, no notifications or inconsistent.	3
				Total: 29

In conclusion I will not be using Wikispaces this year. It did score well on the rubric but it does the same things as other tools we are already using and I don’t want to overwhelm my learners.