Use wikis for writing, editing, and sharing.
Wikispaces.com offers a free wiki for teachers. You can bulk create users, which makes setting names and passwords easy. Plus, editing is a snap! Take a look at this example.
You can create a student page for each student where they can write in real-time. Use the wiki to make the best use of your peer editing time.
Students can write and edit right on their own wiki page. Just have editors use a different color when they make a change.
You can create a student page for each student where they can write in real-time. Use the wiki to make the best use of your peer editing time.
Students can write and edit right on their own wiki page. Just have editors use a different color when they make a change.
You can also use Microsoft Word and its review tab to edit writing. Students can upload their document to their wiki page. Other students can then download it, review it and make comments, and then upload it under a new name. That way, the author can have multiple editors, making the most out of peer editing.
Using the Microsoft Word review tab
The review tab allows editors to make changes directly on the rough draft. Each time an editor adds a new comment, their initials are added to the comment, so you can keep track of everyone's ideas. Never used the review tab? Highlight the word/phrase on which you which to comment, and click "New comment." It's that easy.
When editing is finished, students can save the file and re-upload it to the wiki page.
NOTE: When students upload files, make sure that each file has a different name. I've found that assigning an "assignment name" with student initials after makes a good file name. For example: heroessaydc.doc You could also include the class period.
When editing is finished, students can save the file and re-upload it to the wiki page.
NOTE: When students upload files, make sure that each file has a different name. I've found that assigning an "assignment name" with student initials after makes a good file name. For example: heroessaydc.doc You could also include the class period.
Students love to use the wiki because it's a "real world" tool. They can also share their work with peers and parents simply by sharing the URL. As a teacher, there's no worry about "losing" student work. If anyone accidentally deletes a file, you can revert to a previously-saved version.