“Learners are entering an online world that takes what they post very seriously. Techno-personal skills are an essential requirement in a world of global collaboration.” -Vicki Davis, Wiki Educator
Used at the simplest level, it is much like a regular web site. However, users do not require access privileges, a specific software, or computer hard drive to edit the page.
Organizational
So many new Web 2.0 resources and tools are available online. Teachers can collect dozens of bookmarks for a single topic in a single learning area. Add to this videos, podcasts, blogs, and wikis. How do we organize this information and make it available to learners? Better yet, how do we get learners to collect, analyse, organise, and use this information for themselves?
Wikis help teach children not only what to learn, but how to learn.
Wikis help learners become the authorities of content and control how it is presented.
Collaborative
A wiki can be described as a hybrid of a website and an editable word document. The true power of a wiki is the ease at which collaboration is possible using a browser.
Asynchronous
A wiki allows contributors to add their input when it suits them, and from anywhere in the world. One student can work on a group project in the afternoon, one in the evening, and one at night, and each will build on what the previous one did. Classes in South Africa can create a wiki that Brazilian learners can add to... then later, Australian learners can add to it.... then later, Indian learners can add to it .... and the next day the South African learners can see how the wiki has changed.
Archival
In terms of value, a benefit of the wiki is the tracking of the history of the page throughout its revision. Every time a page is edited, the new information on the page stays and the last version is saved with all the past archives. One can easily compare past versions, view changes made by specific editors, and revert back to an older version.
Foster effective learning environments
They encourage teachers to nurture classrooms:
Active: Students are actively engaged in using technology as a tool rather than passively receiving information from the technology.
Collaborative: Students use technology tools to collaborate with others rather than working individually at all times.
Constructive: Students use technology tools to build understanding rather than simply receive information.
Authentic: Students use technology tools to solve real- world problems meaningful to them rather than working on artificial assignments.
Goal Directed: Students use technology tools to set goals, plan activities, monitor progress, and evaluate results rather than simply completing assignments without reflection.
And more...
This is just a sample. You will discover many more reasons for using wikis when you try them in your classroom.
Why Use A Wiki?
“Learners are entering an online world that takes what they post very seriously. Techno-personal skills are an essential requirement in a world of global collaboration.” -Vicki Davis, Wiki EducatorTable of Contents
Simple
Used at the simplest level, it is much like a regular web site. However, users do not require access privileges, a specific software, or computer hard drive to edit the page.Organizational
So many new Web 2.0 resources and tools are available online. Teachers can collect dozens of bookmarks for a single topic in a single learning area. Add to this videos, podcasts, blogs, and wikis. How do we organize this information and make it available to learners? Better yet, how do we get learners to collect, analyse, organise, and use this information for themselves?Wikis help teach children not only what to learn, but how to learn.
Wikis help learners become the authorities of content and control how it is presented.
Collaborative
A wiki can be described as a hybrid of a website and an editable word document. The true power of a wiki is the ease at which collaboration is possible using a browser.Asynchronous
A wiki allows contributors to add their input when it suits them, and from anywhere in the world. One student can work on a group project in the afternoon, one in the evening, and one at night, and each will build on what the previous one did. Classes in South Africa can create a wiki that Brazilian learners can add to... then later, Australian learners can add to it.... then later, Indian learners can add to it .... and the next day the South African learners can see how the wiki has changed.Archival
In terms of value, a benefit of the wiki is the tracking of the history of the page throughout its revision. Every time a page is edited, the new information on the page stays and the last version is saved with all the past archives. One can easily compare past versions, view changes made by specific editors, and revert back to an older version.Foster effective learning environments
They encourage teachers to nurture classrooms:And more...
This is just a sample. You will discover many more reasons for using wikis when you try them in your classroom.Read an article from Boston College, "Benefits of Using Wikis in the Classroom."