Educational Wikis

Wikis are powerful learning tools. They play a major role in learning. One feature that distinguishes from other online web tools is that they are collaboratively created websites where users can create a series of web pages, edit and revise their and other’s work, provide feedback, keep track of the changes and publish information online. 


 In classrooms students may not have time to read and build on each other’s work. However, in collaborative online environments, they are given this opportunity. Research, discussions and reflections started in the classroom can continue online. As they contribute to a wiki, students are creating course resources and building course content in a shared space where they can add, delete and revise their writing. Wikis are very suitable for educational use. They are very flexible: all you need is a computer with a browser and Internet connection. 
They have many advantages:     

• Wikis promote collaborative writing. The collaborative context provided by wikis enhances users to negotiate, collaborate with others as well as learn from other’s work.

• Wikis provide open-editing. Users can change their own and others’ work. They provide an easy way for completing collaborative projects, extending group work by continuing it outside the course and encourage learners to participate in discussions on their own in the online environment.
• The most distinguishing feature is wikis’ ability to incorporate graphics, audio, video and animation that allow learners to express themselves and communicate the meaning.    

  Wikis significantly changed the dynamics of online learning and collaboration, as well as students' and teachers’ perceptions of what online learning is about. The students and the instructors see value in using wikis as a collaboration tool. From the students’ perspective, wikis encourage better individual participation and are a good tool for collecting and organizing information for group projects. From the teachers’ perspective, Wikis enable instructors to create interactive activities for their students and to present course information such as resources, external links, project information.