Wikis are websites that allows users to collaborate by creating, editing, deleting, and publishing content. As such they are well-suited for a range of collaborative learning activities, from creating study guides and glossaries to working on group projects and presentations.
If you're one of the hundreds of millions of people who visit Wikipedia every month, then chances are you've got at least a little experience with how wikis work. However, if you need a brief introduction to wikis, watch the short video below.
Wikis in Plain English
Wiki-Based Projects and Activities
Wikis can be used by students instructors to...
- document their research in preparation for final papers or reports provide evidence for solving problems
- collaborate on group projects
- reflect on co-curricular or extra-curricular activities such as student groups and internships
- create connections between course concepts and readings
- practice giving and receiving constructive feedback in a public space
Teaching with Wikipedia
Wikipedia can be used to teach students valuable skills, from digital literacy to writing and editing. The
Wikimedia Education offers activities, groups, and other valuable resources for instructors looking to incorporate Wikipedia into their teaching repetoire.
Further Resources
Boulos, M., Maramba, I., & Wheeler, S. (2006). "Wikis, Blogs and Podcasts: A New Generation of Web-Based Tools for Virtual Collaborative Clinical Practice and Education."
BMC Medical Education, 6, 41. doi:10.1186/1472-6920-6-41
Parker, K., & Chao, J. (2007).
"Wiki as a Teaching Tool."
Interdisciplinary Journal of Knowledge & Learning Objects, 3, 57-72.
"Wikis for Collaboration" from the University of Minnesota includes sample wiki projects, suggestions for assessing wikis, wiki rubrics, and ideas about using wikis to teach writing.
"Wikis" from the Center for Teaching at Vanderbilt University gives examples of course wikis and provides links to emerging research on their educational value.
Wheeler, S., Yeomans, P. & Wheeler, D. (2008). "The Good, the Bad and the Wiki: Evaluating Student-Generated Content for Collaborative Learning."
British Journal of Educational Technology, 39(6), 987-995. DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-8535.2007.00799.x