Wiki+-+Hints+to+making+your+own

DETAILS

 * Create your pages first (usually one for each unit) by clicking on "Pages and Files" or if you're adding a page, just click on the + icon next to that heading.
 * Always type one thing on the page it takes you to immediately once you have opened a new page and then save. Otherwise, it doesn't save.
 * Your pages may not show up on the Navigation box unless you link them. You will need to delete the widget that is on that page and then link to your pages. First click on "Edit Navigation" and delete the widget. Then link the pages from your existing wiki. You may want to ask me how to do this.

LINK ICON

 * Use to link a page to your navigation (index) page. Page must be created first.
 * Make sure you are in edit mode.
 * Use to add a link to a webpage URL. I used this to link to the MA Curriculum Frameworks on the Standards Based page of this wiki.
 * Always Save.

** FILE ICON **
Use to add word documents (I used this to add the Summer Reading Lists) or to add images from your desktop or the computer.

To add a word document : NOTE: this can be tricky.
 * Click on the page you want to work on and make sure you are in edit mode.
 * Move your cursor to where you want to insert the file.
 * Click on File icon (above in tool bar).
 * Click on "Insert Files"
 * In the blank box, type the title of your word doc or one or two words - doesn't have to be exact.
 * Click "Upload Files"
 * A window should open to your documents. Sometimes this doesn't happen - usually because if you have just done this, you may need to link the previous document to the wiki. Keep reading.
 * Find the document you want to add and then double-click.
 * You should now be back in the File window and you should see the title of your word doc appear.
 * On the right, where it says "Click to" choose "Embed File"
 * Now double click on your document and it should show up on the wiki.
 * You can now start all over again loading your next document.
 * Always Save.

To add an image: (I used this to add the photo on the Assessments page of this wiki). Find an image you like.
 * Save as to your desktop - I have a separate folder for each unit/topic. Otherwise, if you put in the URL, you may pull up the whole web page and not just the photo.
 * Click on Insert Files and follow directions above.
 * I have not used the other option as I couldn't figure out how to do it without including the entire web page.
 * Always Save.

WIDGET ICON
Use to add videos and lots of other things I haven't figured out. I add the TED video of amazing poet Sarah Kay to our Poetry page.
 * Find a video you want to share.
 * You will need the embed code (NOT the page's URL).
 * To find the embed code, go to the video. You may see a button that says share or embed. Find it, click on it, and copy. There should be two or three lines of code.
 * Copy the code.
 * Go back to the wiki and click on the page you want to add this to. Be in Edit mode. Have your cursor where you want it to show up.
 * Click on the widget icon and then on video.
 * I usually pick other video.
 * Paste the embed code into the box that shows up.
 * Hit Save.
 * NOTE: When I show videos on my wiki at school, I cannot make them large enough to fill the screen. It might be better to use Link or File.

MAKING IT LOOK NICE
In Navigation, click on Manage Wiki. Click on Settings. Click on Look and Feel. Click on Themes and Colors. Pick you one you like - you may also be able to adjust the color (scroll down a little). I found it helpful to look around wikispaces at other wikis to see what appealed to me. You can change this at any time. If you pay money, you have more choices.

To change the color and size of text and add lines like this page: To change color - click on the "T" button on the tool bar. If you click on the box that is already black, you will have many choices come up. You can also custom make your own color by clicking on the color wheel. Don't use too many colors and keep headings consistently colored.

To change text size - click on the "Normal" button above and choose one of the headings. On this page the headings are all "Heading Two". You can also click on bold.

To make a line, click on the icon next to the bullet box in the tool bar that has a blue line in it.