Nov

8

Wikis

Posted by: | November 8, 2010 | Leave a Comment

Collaborating with my peers on the wiki activity this week was an enjoyable experience. I found many aspects of using the wiki to be both advantageous to traditional methods of communication and challenging. In the paragraphs below I will discuss my thoughts and experiences with this week’s activity.

I found many advantages to using wikis for group work. Primarily, I liked how anyone could edit and revise the body of work that was being created. This is quite different in comparison to the static nature of the discussion forums on WebCT/Vista. In addition, working with the wiki was especially easy to use which makes it a great learning tool for students who have had little exposure to, or are reluctant to using technological tools. I also liked that the information that was being created on the wiki was near instantaneous. This function makes wikis a great tool for instant collaboration. In a recent group activity for another MET course, we used a wiki for group collaboration. Due to the nature of online courses, many of the students were located all over the world. Using a wiki provided our group with an easy to use, convenient space in which to contribute to the same document.

Although I think that wikis are an exceptional learning tool that educators have at their disposal, they are not without their challenges. Some of those challenges are access to equipment (computers and bandwidth), affording the time to create and implement the wiki, and monitoring students’ activity. As well, the type of communication that wikis provide may not be ideal for some students’ learning style. For example, some students may be visual learners and therefore should be provided with an opportunity to use strategies which reflect that. Perhaps a modification to the use of the wiki could provide for that? For my own learning style, I find wikis to be somewhat overwhelming and cluttered if contributors are not given specific directions on where to place information. It could as simple as using a different colour of font to differentiate the contributors.

There may also be concern by some educators regarding students staying on task and as well, violating copyright. I have found that many students have a difficult time staying on task when working on computers due to the large amount of online distractions. As well, many younger students that I work with have zero regard for copyright law and plagiarism. Giving the students guidelines before starting may prove to be beneficial.

Another challenge to using wikis is knowing when it is appropriate and beneficial to the students’ learning. Other methods of communication, especially in a classroom setting, may be more suitable and therefore should receive preference over using a wiki. Knowing the best instructional methods to support your students’ needs is vital in providing a proper education.

Perhaps the most challenging aspect of using a wiki is trying to overcome the reluctance to edit other people’s information. For me personally, I didn`t feel comfortable with revising work that other people had taken the time to write. I didn’t mind adding to someone’s thoughts but revising was another story. Some students may also experience the same feeling when working with wikis. In addition some students may get upset that others had changed their ideas. I believe the challenge for any educator in this situation is defining a clear outline before proceeding with working with wikis.

Referring back to the SECTIONS framework provided me with a basis in which to critique the use of wikis in an educational setting. I believe that it is fair to say that wikis can provide educators with a different form of collaborative communication in both the classroom and beyond. However, there are some challenges and wikis may not be suitable for all situations. In the future, I can see myself using wikis with my students as they provide an excellent collaborative and communicative platform. Being cognizant of the challenges of using wikis and understanding their best pedagogical uses can provide students with an exceptional platform for collaborative learning.

Bates, A. W. and Poole, G. (2003) Effective Teaching with Technology in Higher Education: Foundations for Success. New York: Wiley, John & Sons, Incorporated.


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