Teaching with Wikis

Wiki is a term used to describe a type of networked communication software that enables users to post content, edit content, make comments, and hyperlink between pages. In many ways a Wiki page is similar to a standard webpage viewed through a web browser. The difference is that Wiki pages are created with interactivity in mind. Most Wiki pages allow readers to alter content or make comments about the content of a web page. In this way, Wikis are drastically different from a traditional webpage.

In the classroom Wikis are being used as a tool for peer review, collaborative writing, group organization, and peer editing. Collaborative writing is a recursive process by which the authors read, write and edit content in conjunction with other authors. From a constructivist perspective, the authors are participating in a sense-making process whereby each draft and change provides a new opportunity for each author to critically assess the changes and to determine whether or not to accept, reject or edit a change. Collaborative writing provides multiple opportunities for students to reflect on the progress of their work. Wikis enable students and instructors to review drafts, post comments about content and publish final reports.

Course Goal	Practice and improve the writing process
Objective	Students will read, comment, and provide recommendations to their peers about their writing
Technology	Students will use a WIKI to post their papers, comment on each others papers, and make final edits
Assessment	Instructor will review Wiki pages to assess student contributions and comments check status of student drafts observe the improvement of student work over time guide students throughout the writing process

Scenario: An instructor wants her undergraduates to improve their writing process. She determines a peer editing process will allow students the most opportunities to learn, practice, and master new skills. The instructor sets up a Wiki for her students. Each student creates their own page and shares the URL with partners. Students then post several pieces of their paper throughout the semester beginning with an introduction and ending with a final paper. Students are then required to read their partners paper and make comments through the Wiki. The instructor is able to monitor the progress and track the improvement of students by reading the Wiki throughout the semester. The instructor can also guide students early in the writing process by keeping current with new post.

Example

A Wiki page being edited

Course Goal	Students will demonstrate critical thinking about a selected topic in the course that matches their academic interest.
Objective	Students will work in small groups to complete a research project
Technology	Students will use a Wiki to organize their meetings, brainstorm topics, post online resources, and edit final papers.
Assessment	The instructor will use the Wiki to assess individual participation in a group provide early guidance during the initial stages of the group project

Scenario 2: An instructor wants his students to critically analyze a key issue in his class. Ideally students will choose a topic they are interested in and they will be able to form groups based on a common interest. The instructor will setup a Wiki site for students to use as a group collaboration tool. Students will post their meeting agendas, ideas generated from brainstorming sessions, links to online resources, and drafts of their papers. The instructor will be able to monitor the participation level of each student by reading the Wiki.

Example

Tracking comments in a Wiki