Wiki

A wiki can be a very useful web 2.0 tool in relation to education and support learning. A wiki can be defined in the category of "social software". This software is web based and enables users to freely create and edit a specific web page using any Internet web browser. In many cases students do not feel comfortable addressing a class with his/her opinions or questions. This is where I believe the use of a wiki in a class environment can be very effective. For example if a main theme or topic was chosen for this particular web 2.0 module, where each week we as a class had to discuss different aspects there may be a number of students who would be reluctant to contribute to the class out of insecurity and embarrassment. On the other hand if a wiki was used to hold these discussions more and more students would take part as the fear of "asking a stupid question" or "giving the wrong information" is diminished. Students can be completely anonymous if they wish and so can freely express their own personal views or queries with confidence. "Individuals come together and develop a repertoire of shared practices, bringing new experiences to the group and learning from the group's existing practices" (Choy,s.Ng,k. (2007) "Implementing wiki software for supplementing online learning". Australasian Journal of Educational Technology,23(2):209-226.) This quote sums up how effective and substantial this web 2.0 tool can be in a learning environment. Wiki not only support learners in their continual quest to acquire information and knowledge but also aids in the development of their skills which are vital for future learning.

• A relevant website to this topic is : http://www.educause.edu/wiki/Wiki-based+Collaborative+Learning (Educause.(2009)Available from:<> [Accessed 9 November 09]
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1-8OOrBi0o ~ this link is regarding a lecturer call Richard Buckland who has been using Wikis in his large class (100-500 students) teaching in Engineering and Computer Science since 2000.