There are many applications where wikis can be very useful in information sharing, but perhaps it is how they serve as a platform for ‘collaborative learning’ that makes wikis such an invaluable tool.
The collaborative nature of wikis and the need for groups with a common interest and shared objective – whether this be simply to exchange information, advance knowledge or complete a more complex task/ project – are creating a ‘virtual’ community of learners.
And because the exchange of ideas takes place online, participation is not subject to a predetermined time and physical location. Ergo, anyone – regardless of where they are and for as long as they are given access and share the group’s objective – can participate in the exchange.
Every person that makes an entry in the wiki effectively acquires a stake in the task/ project, and there is no hierarchy. Unlike the traditional classroom setting where you have predominantly the teacher-student set-up, all participants are deemed equals. The absence of hierarchy makes the discussion more open, free wheeling and non-threatening which is important when participants need to ‘negotiate meanings’ to arrive at a consensus and come up with an excellent end-product.
In a growing number of educational institutions, wikis are being used both by instructors and students to equip themselves with information, improve their knowledge and skills, share helpful resources, even analyse and critique each other’s work.
One good example of this is a site I have found on Google which is hosted by the University of South Florida in the U.S. This wiki was created specifically for students enrolled in USF writing courses. Here, students as well as teachers can comment and revise written work of students. There is also a wiki specially created for USF teachers where they can share experiences and share reference materials and other resources including lesson plans.
Another example of a wiki being used along this line is one hosted by INTRAC (International NGO Training and Research Centre). INTRAC works with non-government organisations (NGOs) worldwide who are involved in relief and development work by identifying policy issues and helping improve their management and organisational efficiency. One interesting section of INTRAC’s wiki site is devoted to improving evaluation and impact assessment of NGO developmental efforts.
Whether it be collaboration for education, learning, business and industry, wikis are an indispensable tool for content sharing and management, and the exchange of information.