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| (askateacher.com, 2010) |
That depends on the perspective. If you are a novice at WIKIS, then the initial concept of a WIKI is tricky. However, with practice in the Sandbox-I will explain this term momentarily, the tool is a way to collaborate on a project where time and space is an issue (Hazari & North, 2009; King & Cox, 2011; West & West, 2009). Let’s discuss this from a novice perspective. The idea of the word WIKI may seem foreign to some, but if you have used a google document, then you have used a WIKI. The Web 2.0 platform offers a way to share and build knowledge collaboratively through examining multiple perspectives for the emergence of quantum thinking skills.
Do you still believe that a WIKI is Tricky? How about playing with the tool in the
virtual sandbox. The sandbox allows the
practice of inputting content and testing the tech tool features assists with
user ease. The bonus is limited access to the Sandbox WIKI except for the WIKI
administrator (Big Brother) and those you allow access will know what you
experimented with while using the tech tool.
Still skeptical? I was too but using technology like WIKIS broadens the
scope of a required learning activity because it makes meaning relevant to
learning (Harzi & North, 2009).
What are the Tricky WIKIs? First, it is a good idea to spell correctly because some WIKIs do not offer spell or grammar checks. How accurate is the information? Well, that is another drawback to WIKIs especially if they are not managed by an LMS or password protected to limit access to editing the content (King & Cox, 2011). Also, LMS has greater control over unwanted advertisements. While some WIKI sites are free, but free does not mean free for all. The limitation in the number of users could factor into the accessibility of a WIKI (West & West, 2009). Further, using any technology users risk losing content due to system glitches. Therefore, WIKIS can be Tricky, but a great learning tech tool. Please share your thoughts and experiences on Tricky WIKIS.
Thanks for traveling along with Rhonda's Tech Adventures.
References
King, K. & Cox, T. (2011). The professor’s
guide to taming technology. Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing.
Murray, J. (2010, July 29). Ask a tech teacher.
Retrieved from https://www.google.com/search?biw=1280&bih=900&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=7XyjXPuWKcr4_AabJKIAg&q=tricky+wikis&oq=tricky+wikis&gs_l=img.3...13181.14889..15174...0.0..0.72.371.6......1....1..gws-wizimg.......0i67j0j0i5i30j0i8i30j0i24.nu9DTbXBCyg#imgrc=VL6qPhsCQwiniM:
West, J. & West, M. (2009). Using Wikis for online collaboration: The
power of the read-write Web. San
Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Hi Rhonda,
ReplyDeleteI love the ‘tricky wiki’ - that is very clever. And, I can’t believe I hadn’t thought of it before, but you are right - Google docs are a great place to hold a collaborative learning session - is that considered a wiki? And, do the ‘sandboxes’ exist for other wiki users outside of our coursework? I thought that was something the professor did with our class to facilitate learning. Another way that Wiki’s can be tricky are due to the nature of the edit rights on a public site. As Harpalani (2010) describes, “a great number of malicious users abuse the open nature of Wikipedia by vandalizing articles” (p. 4). As a result, Wikipedia uses bots and humans to combat malicious content, but as you’d imagine, that would be quite the time consuming process. Thanks for sharing! Sara
References
Harpalani, M. (2010). Wiki vandalysis - Wikipedia vandalism analysis. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/1951/55456.
Thanks for visiting our Tricky Wikis blog, Sara. The term sandbox is used in Canvas and in another platform called Wikispaces, although Wikispaces is no longer operational. The term may alternate in different WIKIS. However, the practice space is available. As for Google docs, it has similar functionality as WIKIS such as collaboration, storing information, and edit simultaneously (Milman, 2011).
ReplyDeleteReference
Milman, N. B. (2011, December). Communication, collaboration, and project management tools for producing and managing group projects at a distance. Distance Learning, 8(4), 85+. Retrieved from http://link.galegroup.com.er.lib.k-state.edu/apps/doc/A284016095/AONE?u=ksu&sid=AONE&xid=53b8ca88
Hi Rhonda, great play on the words and it makes me think that I need to be picky wiki! After reading about the various free to purchased wiki platforms, one does need to put thought into the platform used. This is especially important for educational institutions and putting their students first. One of my articles, authored by Hazari, North, and Moreland, they state, "Wikis can promote collaboration in group assignments, encourage negotiation, and make students feel comfortable with new generation of technology tools." Your discussion about the sandbox is one tool to help students, such as the novice me, feel comfortable with entering the world of wikis!
ReplyDeleteGreat read, thanks!
kevin
Hazari, S, North, A, and Moreland, D. (2009). Investigating Pedagogical Value of Wiki Technology. Journal of Information Systems Education; West Lafayette, 20(2), 187-198.
OkieKCarrel,
ReplyDeleteI agree that careful consideration is necessary when planning a WIKIS. What I have a challenge understanding is the collaborative piece. WIKIS serves as a conduit for collaboration. Collaboration occurs in group settings with or without a WIKI. For example, staff meetings, leadership styles, strategic planning sessions suggest modes of collaboration. The difference is time and space, meaning face to face or collaboration at a distance. So, why is so much emphasis being placed on WIKI being a collaborative tool? I am not saying Web 2.0 products are not collaborative but would collaboration occur without a WIKI?
Rhonda - I really enjoyed your perspective on wikis in the classroom. I often forget about the sandbox feature, and am happy you brought that up. The sandbox eliminates the risk of making un-undo-able changes to a page that could result in lost content and additional work. It's a great way for students to learn the tool safely and build confidence.
ReplyDeleteI have seen wikis compared to Google docs before, and while I understand the collaborative comparison I find that Google docs do not have quite as many options in terms of formatting. I also think that publishing a wiki out in the world has a broader reach than Google docs that are unlikely to be stumbled upon from a simple Google search.
Great points, and so happy to be working on our second wiki together during this course!!
Rhonda,
ReplyDeleteI love your play on words and the truth behind them. It can be very frustrating to accidentally delete something you have been working on for a while, or even worse, accidentally delete one of the pieces one of your partners has created. I have learned very quickly that if I accidentally delete something, don't save. It is better to lose what I have been working on than to lose information already posted.
The sandbox is a great practice tool. I have not used it yet because I was unaware of it until this class. I cannot wait to go check it out.
As for your question about collaboration. Yes, there are many ways to collaborate as you have mentioned, staff meetings, planning sessions, etc. But, I think for the purposes of adult education, the Wiki is a great "tool" to have in an instructors toolbox, especially for courses online where participants are scattered around the world. There are other collaborative tools that can be used like Google docs as you have mentioned. I think it is an easy tool for simultaneous use by students to use in collaboration. Just like we instruct using PowerPoint, handouts, videos, research projects, and more, Wikis add another tool for instructors to use. Thank you for your insights and thought-provoking dialogue!
Vee
KLM and Vee,
ReplyDeleteThanks for you for visiting the Tricky Wiki Blog post and your insightful comments. All of the tech tools offer multiple ways to engage learners in collaboration toward higher thinking and new ways of knowing. I think it is essential to remain focused on the content of learning and allow constant flow through the use of technology. Otherwise, one could lose sight of the goal of knowledge.