As an additional tool in the adult classroom Wikis have been
used to extend and create learning environments that are more exciting than the
traditional online environment. Wikis involve using technology to create a
“community of practice” among learners (Kathleen P.
King, Thomas D Cox, 2011, p. 124) extending the
classroom out of the traditional and online classroom environments and into the
lives of other learners. To be honest if I were to describe them in the most
non technical terms possible I would liken them to the group projects of junior
high, where everyone in a group had a specific part of a project to create on
their own then brought them together to make one big tri-fold presentation or
poster. That is simplistic of course, but it covers the basics. Wikis go beyond
that and allow for each member of the group to change, update and edit each
other’s work either for good or bad.
The good points of having a wiki are numerous. Instead of
having to shuttle kids junior high style from one house to the other to find
time to work on this group project. Wikis allow for collaboration limited only
by the parameters of the internet. Access is not limited to a specific city,
time zone or even country. As many or few people can be added to the space to
participate as the administrator or the group desires. Accessibility to the wiki also offers consistent
editing features allowing for one cohesive product. (James A West, Margaret L West, 2009) These are just the
benefits for students or collaborators. There are other benefits for the
teacher or administrator too. They have the benefit of looking in one place at
a group’s work; they can see when new items are posted and how the wiki comes together,
which can be an indicator of group dynamics and organization.
Most issues I have found in using a Wiki have less to do
with the actual functionality of the Wiki and more to do with the dysfunction
of the group working on it. The wiki provides the structure for a project, but
a group has to function appropriately in order for the wiki to be a success.
Bad group dynamics will lead to a poorly designed page no matter what the
benefits it offers. King and Cox mention the “collective bias” that can be
offered by a wiki with a generalized group (Kathleen P. King, Thomas D Cox, 2011, p. 123) which also brings up
the point that the information found within the wiki can be wrong. Putting misinformation
out in a setting accessible to all can be a provoking issue for an instructor.
Overall I think wikis offer a exciting way for people in
diverse settings and locations to interact. With proper oversight, most will be
a good reflection of the group dynamic and work.
James A West, Margaret L West. (2009). Using Wikis
for Online Collaboration. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Kathleen P. King,
Thomas D Cox. (2011). The Professors Guide to Taming Technology.
Charlottee: Information Age Publishing.
You hit it on the head when discussing the Wiki issues. Most of it is going to be part of the dysfunction of the group working on the project. I feel in order to be successful; the group itself needs to click collectively. I have worked on several different types of Wiki’s over the last couple of years. Most of them went great working without a hitch. However, I had one where it was a 2 person group and I did not get along with the person at all. She would not listen to the suggestions that I had put out and eventually we ended up working separately on this project. In the end, when we were supposed to discuss our presentation, she would not even address the instructor on this project.
ReplyDeleteSo again, I say in order to be effective in Wiki development and building, the group needs to have the ability to come together and have the ability to work well as a group.