For those who may have any misconceptions about wikis, this little note may assist in bringing some clarity.
Please feel free to comment or add any necessary information.
A wiki is a type of website that allows visitors themselves to add, remove, edit and change available web based context. This functionality means that wikis are excellent tools for collaboration online. In today’s classroom this tool can be used to enhance teaching and learning and also increase motivation. Let me also suggests some other benefits of the wiki. 1. The user needs no extensive technical expertise. 2. The user can always access current information. 3. The user can avoid transferring documents via e-mail and 4. One can complete real time updates of the web based content.
Here are just a few suggestions of ways to use the wiki in the classroom and remember that we also have an electronic portfolio to create. Why not use the wiki in the creation of study guides or a class encyclopedia, what about for editing in creative writing, even a vocabulary list and finally and my favourite, a book club. Well have fun and please share any other ideas!!
In addition to the very salient points you have posted other advantages of the wiki:
ReplyDeleteWikis are edited in a web browser. It doesn’t matter is a user is using a PC or a MAC or if they do not have a certain type of software. As long as a user can access the web they can access the wiki.
Being able to access the wiki anywhere you have a web connection is another advantage all on its own. If a user is traveling then they don’t need to worry about bringing any files with them. They can simply log onto the wiki and have all the information they need.
Another advantage to using a wiki is that all the drafts of a document are saved. If a team of people have altered a document several times and feel that using the original introduction would now work better than the revised version, they can easily go back and retrieve the original.
A wiki can be protected with a password so you don’t have to worry about the public viewing it.
A wiki also gives the advantage of being able to put many ideas together and then going back to edit them when necessary or when time allows.
I personally had my doubts of the Wikis but now I'm sold. I think this is a wonderful tool. I'm sorry we were not exposed to this at the beginning of the course especially for group work on projects....
http://www.gadgetgirlaccessories.com/2008/09/advantages-of-using-wikis/