For teachers
WikiRacer in the classroom
A wiki race makes a quick, lively brain break. Students race from one Wikipedia article to another using only the links, reading as they go and deciding which link gets them closer. WikiRacer runs in any browser, with no accounts and nothing to install.
Why it works in class
- It's reading with a purpose. Students skim for meaning and judge, fast, which link leads where.
- Every race crosses subjects. Getting from a volcano to electricity runs through geology, physics and history.
- It fits in five minutes, and the rules take one sentence to explain.
- It's competitive but low-stakes. Comparing routes afterwards is half the fun.
Run a class race
The quickest way: the daily race. Send everyone to wikiracer.app/daily. Each student plays the same pair with five minutes on the clock, and you compare times and pages at the end.
Your own pair:
- Pick a pair below, or choose any two articles on New race.
- Race it yourself, or tap Give up straight away.
- On the results, tap Challenge a friend to copy a link to the same race.
- Post the link in Google Classroom, Teams or on the board. Every student who opens it gets the same two articles and the same rules, and sees your result to beat.
Ready-made pairs by subject
- ScienceVolcano→ElectricitySet up this race
- BiologyPhotosynthesis→Albert EinsteinSet up this race
- HistoryAncient Egypt→Moon landingSet up this race
- EnglishWilliam Shakespeare→Video gameSet up this race
- GeographyAmazon River→Mount EverestSet up this race
- MathPythagorean theorem→MusicSet up this race
- ArtLeonardo da Vinci→BasketballSet up this race
Before you start
- Students need access to wikipedia.org: WikiRacer loads each article straight from Wikipedia.
- It works on Chromebooks, iPads, laptops and phones, in any modern browser.
- Articles are Wikipedia's own and aren't filtered. Wikipedia covers every subject, including mature ones, and a race can pass through them, so preview your pairs and pick ones that suit your class.
- WikiRacer doesn't ask students for names, emails or accounts. See the privacy policy.
After the race
- Who found the shortest route, and how did they spot it?
- Which big articles, like countries or centuries, did people pass through?
- What did you learn on the way that you didn't expect?
To change it up, race in teams, choose Fewest pages instead of a clock when you set up the race, or play a classic race. New to the game yourself? Read how to play.