The students we are required to teach today are much different from when we attended school. They are digital natives and are quite versatile in utilizing the various technological tools. As a result they want educators to “get with it” and embrace the technology so that they can use it to make the teaching and learning experience more beneficial and interesting. In the article by Wesch (2007) we are told that we can use the technology in ways that empower and engage students in real world problems and activities. He goes on further to state that as we use the technology in teaching, it help students to develop much-needed skills in navigating harnessing this new media environment. If we do this, it therefore means that we are utilizing the new wave of technology for teaching and learning.
Using Wiki as a means of helping to enrich the teaching and learning experience can indeed be a fruitful one. What I have learnt however from the Wiki Activity, confirms for me that it is about the how. In other words in using technology to enhance the teaching and learning experience, it is how you use the tool and not what tool you use.
The Wiki Activity was not quite what I expected. I believed that there would have been more discussions than I was seeing. I constantly logged in and checked to ascertain if I was not reading the task. I looked at the names of the persons who had posted and noticed that many persons had not posted and came to the conclusion that I was not doing something correct. Those who posted in the regular Vista discussion area aired their concerns and annoyance of not knowing where to post. They felt lost and I also felt that way too. The collaboration that I expected was just not there. It was more about each person posting their own ideas and experiences. I therefore preferred the discussion we have had throughout the WebCT Vista. The exercise has made me reflect on its use and wondered how I could utilize it with my students.
Advantages in using Wikis for Group Collaboration
1. Helps in seeing each person’s ideas
2. Different persons ideas and views are open for everyone to see
3. Adjustments can always be made to comments
4. More discussions can be had
Challenges of working with others in a Collaborative Wiki Space
1. Persons are able to remove your comments
2. May be challenging identifying each person’s comments
3. Persons need to be taught how to use the tool
Overall the use of Wiki in education has its place and is a great way to get students to work together.
