The Use of Wikis in

the Classroom

Adam T. Wasilko

What is a Wiki?

Wiki, from the Hawaiian word for fast

Web site that allows anyone to add, delete, or revise

content by using a web browser

Also gives teachers the ability to work collaboratively

with their students on project based learning activities

Of course, as well as student

What do students
want?

Virtual schools, online classes, etc. are a reality in which teachers must become
proficient.

Even more potential in 3rd world countries without funds for traditional school
system

Teachers and students need to adapt to these environments

Study findings: students want a teacher not a moderator

Students want:

to see the relevance of material

instructional technology aids
detailed feedback (quickly)

Oliver,K.,Osborne,J.,&Brady,K..(2009). What are secondary students' expectations

for teachers
in virtual school environments?Distance Education,30(1),23-45.

How this works

Viewing teachers can open their Wiki to the public or limit to
members only.
Membership teachers decide who can join; students, parents,
invited guests, or the public.
Protection because of the collaborative nature of Wikis, teachers
can lock specific sections so other members cannot modify.
Moderation teachers can moderate all aspects of their Wiki for
appropriateness.
Notification teachers can set up instant notification when a
member makes a post or changes any aspect of the Wiki.

Application

Can be added to any subject or lesson

Can be used to replace traditional

methods

Lab reports

Term Papers

Poster Presentations

Research Symposiums

Instructional Principles

The graphical representation of data:

Contiguity Principle

common to any area of research

wikis will allow to students to further examine the way they
display data
usage of representational, organizational, and interpretive
graphics to aid understanding

Placing printed words near their corresponding graphics

would also serve to enhance learning.

Having a graphical representation aligned with the

description would allow for further understanding of the
material being presented.

Reduction of extraneous processing of material

Better understanding of the material being presented

allows students to understand the information more clearly.

reduce their cognitive overload by presenting lab material in

a more concise way.
Lab recitation is always a concern when teaching the
sciences.

Offering this alternative to the traditional method of

covering these topics will reduce cognitive overload and
offer a novel way of presenting the material that utilizes
instructional design methods.

Benefits

Students are more interactively involved

Learning becomes inquiry based

Opportunity for students to make connections between

scientific concepts

Work with other students to synthesize and share

information

Gives students ownership of learning, but still gives

teacher the role of instructor

Resources

http://wikieducator.org/Main_Page

http://www.facebook.com/groups/WikiEducator

http://www.wikispaces.com/content/wiki

Brunsell, E., & C., & Horejsi, M. (2010). Using web tools to
support learning. Science 2.0, 3, 12-13.

Castanso, C., & Piercy, F. (2010). The wiki as a virtual space

for qualitative data collection. The Qualitative Report, 15(4),
948-955.

Gibbons, S. (2010). Collaborating like never before: Reading

and writing through a wiki. English Journal, 5, 35-39.