This document discusses the educational applications of wikis. Wikis allow for collaborative learning and content building through features that allow multiple users to easily edit and update content. Wikis can be used for collaborative writing, problem solving, and research projects. They also have administrative uses like housing course materials, notes, and department resources. Overall, wikis are presented as a tool that can facilitate online learning communities and collaboration in university courses.

1. Educational Applications of Wikis The development of online learning communities in university courses Alicia Cundell Qatar University [email_address] del.icio.us/acundell

2. Introducing Wikis: Wikis in Plain English Video Retrieved January 2, 2008, from the Common Craft Web site at: http://www.commoncraft.com/video-wikis-plain-english

3. Why wikis? access and editing of pages can be controlled editing can be done by anyone no knowledge needed of programming languages or web development user-friendly editing features

4. Why wikis?

5. Why wikis? No additional software needed Wiki pages are accessible from any computer connected to the Internet easier to manage and update than HTML Page editing history & RSS notification

7. Collaborative learning & content building Wikis are collaborative in nature Facilitates community-building within the course Students become teachers and learn from each other Highly-learner-centered instructional strategy

8. Collaborative learning & content building applications Collaborative problem-solving Collaborative research Glossaries ( example ) Bibliographies

9. Collaborative learning & content building applications Notebooks and journals Class notes Study guides Springnote online notebook

10. Wikis for writing Collaborative writing Peer editing

11. Examples of wiki initiatives Under Control: The Damming of the Missouri River , a district-wide inquiry-based collaborative project Brown University students began a wiki that serves as a review catalogue for courses

12. Examples of wiki initiatives Penguin Book’s: A Million Penguins Mark Frydenburg’s IT class collaborated with another school around the world for a project Paul Schacht’s Collaborative Writing Project

13. Wikis as learning management systems Living syllabus Uploading course content Portal Productivity tools communications

14. Administrative uses for wikis Much more accessible than hard copy documents Eliminate emailing documents Easy-updating means users can get most up-to-date information when they need it

15. Administrative uses for wikis: university departments Post manuals, handbooks, procedures online Post contact directories online Centralized location for collaborative projects, reports, etc. ( example ) Create a professional development/resource materials compendium

16. Wikis for professional development Departmental wikis ( example ) Reflective journal E-portfolios

17. Administrative uses for wikis: faculty Online lesson plans Online lecture notes Productivity tool

18. Administrative uses for wikis: students Lecture, reading & assignment notes Resource list Workspace for report and project development

19. Over to you… What other uses of wikis have you used for university courses? what other benefits could wikis have?

20. Wiki hosts pbwiki.com ( example ) wikispaces.com ( example ) wetpaint.com ( example )

21. Considerations for Wiki creation & development Identify benefits: what need will a wiki fulfill? What problem does it solve? Consider kinds of tasks Map out designs Decide on and assign privileges

22. References Babuata, L. (2007, July 13). 15 productive uses for a wiki. Retrieved December 22, 2007, from The Web Worker Daily Website: http://webworkerdaily.com/2007/07/13/15-productive-uses-for-a-wiki/ Brisco, S. (2007). Which wiki is right for you? School Library Journal , 53(5), 78-9. Engstrom, Mary E., & Jewett, Dusty (2005 Nov/Dec). Collaborative learning the wiki way. Techtrends: Linking Research & Practice to Improve Learning, v49 n6 pp12-68. Retrieved December 21, 2007, from ProQuest Research Database. Frydenberg, M. (2007a, November 1). Edu case study – Pbwiki at Bentley College. Message posted to The Daily Peanut Web log at: http://blog.pbwiki.com/2007/11/01/edu-case-study-pbwiki-at-bentley-college/ Frydenburg, M. (2007b). WikiTour4. Digital media retrieved November 2, 2007 from: http://www.screencast.com/users/checkmark/folders/Default/media/b2a560b2-3fca-45d6-b640-4e18e42426e5 Galang, A. (2007). The Sound and the Wiki. PC Magazine , 26(19), 19. Retrieved from EBSCO Research Database, December 21, 2007. Harding, J.R. (2007). Extending the Classroom Space: Wikis, Online Discussions, and Short Fiction. Eureka Studies in Teaching Short Fiction , 8(1), 131-138.

23. References . Lamb, A. & Johnson, L. (2007). An Information skills workhout. Teacher Librarian , 34 (5), 57-59, 3. Retrieved December 21, 2007, from EBCO Research Database. Lamb, B. (2004). Wide open spaces: ready or not [Electronic version]. EDUCAUSE Review, 39(5), 36-48. Mitchell, T. (2007). Using Wikisto enhance teachingand learning. Retrieved October 28, 2007, from the Teaching Wiki Web site: http://www.teachingwiki.org/default.aspx/ TeachingWiki/UsingWikistoEnhanceTeachingandLearning.html Randall, A. (2007, October 5). PBwiki – a great complement to Blackboard! Message posted to The Daily Peanut Web log at: http://blog.pbwiki.com/2007/10/05/pbwiki-a-great-compliment-to-blackboard/ Richardson, W. (2005). What's a wiki?A powerful collaborative tool for teaching and learning. MultiMedia & Internet@Schools, 12 (6), 17- 20. Retrieved from ProQuest database, December 21, 2007. Srikanthan, T. (2006, November 6). Students display a Wiki way with words; York classes join online bandwagon. Toronto Star , p. R1. Retrieved December 22, 2007, from the ProQuest Database.