Take a look below at what a Wiki is and its uses for education. Try out using a Wiki Page at the bottom of this page and collaborate with us in looking at what educational uses can be derived from it.
What is a Wiki By definition a wiki is visible across a network, whether a local network or the global Internet. It is by definition a tool designed for collaborative composition and instant change. This is a fundamental value. Its application needs to fit settings and situations in which collaboration and rapid change is relevant. Not all writing is or should be collaborative. Wiki composition also fosters dispute, negotiation, and space for multiple divergent points of view as legitimate perspectives whether right or wrong. Wikis also provide a fast way to organize or link bits and pieces of information as it develops, a work-in-progress concept map, which has as much value for individuals as for groups and organizations. Just as static web pages can have links, so wiki pages can link to other pages. The immediate nature of wiki editing means the start up of a web page editor is not needed to make new links, nor does the file need to be saved and uploaded to a web site. This provides real advantages over the standard model for web site work. The addictive quality of a Wiki is that making pages is as simple as making a link to them. If they don't yet exist, the page link will be followed by a hyperlinked question mark; follow that link and you can define the new page. With this setup, you can update and create pages from anywhere there is a web browser handy. Blog design provides greatly simplified web page design but it is more a design to stimulate dialog and track debate, not forge group consensus. The blog owner just provides content and displays comments not new design to serve other purposes. The team is still dependent on the blog owner to update the information, which can slow further developments unnecessarily. Wiki's advantage is the power to immediately change the current posting. A blog tends to reflect the biases and opinions of an author, while a wiki is more like an open cocktail party. In a wiki you try to speak without a strong voice, seeking consensus to create something permanent, while on a blog you're developing your own voice and it's very much about your voice. According to Meatball Wiki (2003), there are more than 200 wiki programs although only a handful might be considered unique: Dolphin Wiki, Php Wiki, Moin Moin, Swiki Clone, Twiki Clone, UseMod Wiki, Tikki Tavi, Zwiki Clone, and Open Wiki. In addition to these nine core wikis, we compared WikiWiki Web (the first wiki) and Seed Wiki (a WYSIWYG wiki). Feature categories include: source code, wiki management, page formatting, access control, communications, support, and advanced features. Private or Protected Wiki Collaboration When the fundamental wiki concept of open editing over a network is first shared, a look of shock appears on the faces of some as they try to fathom how the the benefits of high currency are to be balanced with the need for accuracy in the information. However, to say that someone can edit a page at any time, does not mean that anyone can edit or that the edits will remain. There are many levels of information control including notification of interested readers, version control, and access control. Further, sometimes what passes for accuracy is a matter of opinion and this in turn requires negotiation control methods such as voting. http://www.irrodl.org/content/v5.1/technote_xxvii.html Multimedia Wikis- Collaborative Media Editors What if one could edit an audio file or a picture the same way one can immediately edit text? Could collaborative composition be extended to other media? Though new developments are possible, currently the wiki concept only applies to text editing. Wiki Syndication Network RSS notification of change can easily be done with Wikis Wiki Limitations? The public nature of wiki editing means that page vandalism, and intentional distortion and lies and inadequately edited grammar are a risk that must be balanced against speedy change and the capacity for more public control. Many of the features of common word processors such as the creation of tables and the easy insertion of media is not possible with all versions. This may not be the best tool to use to achieve peace and harmony with highly controversial topics. Interesting Wiki Examples
Merely visiting and reading a Wiki misses what makes them unique. To understand their power you must edit them. Wiki's are not designed as a spectator sport. Don't be a couch potato; play the game How can we make use of wiki's as an educator's tool? Can you think of any educative uses for a wiki? If so copy the contents of the wiki page below and then click the "Edit the text of this page" link located at the bottom of the page. Paste the contents into the editing page and then add your own idea/s to the list. |
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