There's Something Cheeky About Those Wikis

There’s Something Cheeky About Those Wikis

It probably would be one of the quickest and most beneficial ways to convey interactive information that a Media Specialist can offer as well as a helpful resource that will be perhaps even more highly-anticipated for regular use by teachers and students, and simply put—it’s a Wiki.

So, what is the “word” with Wiki? That’s the first question that instantly comes to mind when you think about the word itself, what it means and what it can possibly do. Well, it’s something quite easy to use, incorporate, contribute to and understand, so I’m glad you asked! At its best, a Wiki is an “open-ended” website page that allows its invited contributors to create, collaborate and edit exchanged and shared ideas to post for others to view, share and enjoy. You can expressive yourself, your knowledge and opinion, explore others’ perspectives and even pool resources and join forces about ideas. It can include graphics and pictures as well. It’s almost like a Facebook page for your ideas, specific concepts and teamwork efforts and partnership presentations, and much like Facebook, it gives us a place to let what’s on our minds come to life! Think of it as a safe and designated place where knowledge can go to grow and be spread to others.

In the education setting of today—where information is most valued when it’s instant, where new ideas are in such high demand, and where technology moves faster than two shakes of a lamb’s tail—putting the spotlight on Wiki’s literally has virtual perfect timing. Furthermore, in the world of collaborative planning, collaborative learning and collaborative teaching, something that everybody can contribute to is certainly ideal for the exchange of cooperative ideas.

Having a school community Wiki to share is fast, accessible, convenient, exciting and also smart!

Wikis started making their first appearances around the mid-1990’s, and have been used for effective collaboration with easy effort ever since. There’s a wide range of ways it can be effective too. You can have a meeting with a Wiki page and allow a chance for group members to comment and edit on the same notes as well as add ideas instantly and right in the moment, which encourages more creative ideas and increases communication and understanding since the ability to explain and elaborate is so immediate. Conference calls can take place while sharing a Wiki and exchanging vital data, pictures and charts, and the Wiki is also an effective presentation tool. It is great for corporate work, but also for students and teachers alike and it is a modern way to update and share valuable information.

With a Wiki, you must be proactive to remain in the loop and up-to-date, and although Wiki is open to being edited and commented on by users, it is monitored to make sure that the content and materials posted are not inappropriate. Misuse is only an extremely small threat, because fortunately Wiki is designed as to only be edited by “authorized members” of a particular page. This is great, but an added bonus is that misuse is easy to track to the guilty individual. This keeps things professional and appropriate for teaching and learning, which is why it is such a good resource.

From an instructional technology perspective, wikis allow faculty and students to engage in collaborative activities that might not be possible in a classroom (Educause, 2005). Their flexibility will encourage broader adoption—by both students and faculty. The possibilities are only limited by one’s imagination and time (Educause, 2005). But more than that, Wikis encourage critical thinking from our students because everybody knows that more reflection goes into thoughts and ideas that will be published, accessible and shared publicly. In turn, they will edit better and think deeper, the cooperative exchange with others will have more direction and intent. 

The wonders of promises in the world of the Wikis are grand and widespread. It is a resource that can change the game in education because it is something that can be valuable to everyone on so many different levels. From teacher to student (for class blogs, class notes), student to student in a group setting, or other school community staff like Media Specialist to teacher, or Media Specialist communicating to students, the links are endless and beneficial. It is evident that technology accents like this can help us produce innovations that make learning better, faster and easier! With the shortcomings being so few, Wiki will be around to advance and enhance the educational experience for countless years to come.

7 Things You Should Know About Wikis, Educause Learning Initiative Advancing Learning Through IT Innovation, www.educause.edu January 2005.

Team 5 Contributing Author Sarita McGhee