Wikis

Wikis


In 2007, E-learnining consultant , Clive Shepard discussed the difference between a blog and a wiki. According to Shepard, a blog can be described as a personal space where an individual can post a subjective opinion. Other individuals can post an opinion on a bloggers site. Entries on a blog are listed in a chronological order. Blogs can not be edited or updated.

In contrast, a wiki is a collaborative space for objectifying knowledge. Wikis can be open to anyone or can be restricted by membership. Wikis contain learning archives that can be referred to at a later date. An important aspect is that they are editable and allow more interaction between participants.

The first wiki site was created by Ward Cunningham for the Portland Pattern Repository. It was created in 1995. It was founded as an automated supplement to the Portland Pattern Repository site. The site was an immediate success to the pattern community. Ward says he can trace early wiki ideas to the 1980’s with programs written in HyperCard. As of March 25 2005, Portland Pattern Repository maintains 30690 pages on its site.

Mrs Pollit, a 5th grade teacher posted a comment on Preocupations. Mrs Pollit uses a wiki in her classroom to post a thought provoking question of the week. Each student is required to post an answer to the question. Mrs Pollit also uses an Online Journal. The journal has an individual link customized for each student. Students use the wiki to write their stories. The wiki allows other students to read and comment on the students work. Mrs Politt useshttp://www.pbwiki.com/ as her wiki site. The school of learning that Mrs Pollit is using to teach her students by using a wiki is consructivist. The learners are conceptualizing information and applying information as they learn by participation in the writing process.

As an educator, I can see the potential of using the wiki in a classroom setting. Some schools in Hesperia use CGI Math. CGI Math is a class collaborative effort. Students must come up with different solutions to solving math word problems. The wiki tool would be a great asset to use in CGI Math.

Resouces:
http://clive-shepherd.blogspot.com/2007/04/one-more-time-whats-difference-between.html
http://c2.com/cgi/wiki?WikiHistory
http://www.preoccupations.org/preoccupations/2004/05/using_wikis_in_.html