OSET Workshop: Teaching w/Wikis

1. Wiki Workshop
Using Wikis to Build and
Share Knowledge
Valerie Thomas
and Phil Tietjen
English Department

2. What is a Wiki?
Wikis are online
writing spaces
that allow users
to read, create,
edit, and share
information in an
asynchronous
setting.

3. How do Wikis Work?
Wikis are easy to use because they use
formatting rules similar to those found in a
word processor.

4. How do Wikis Work?
• Wikis keep a record of previous drafts
so it’s possible to revert to a previous
draft.
• Wikis can be viewed by anyone who
knows the Wiki web address and edited
by anyone who knows the Wiki
password.

5. Why Wiki?
• Wikis allow the instructor to move away from being
the transmitter of information to a facilitator of
information. They allow students to construct
knowledge (Mindel & Verma)
• Wikis allow for dialog to occur about a document,
research, or project.
• Wikis blur the lines of authorship and ownership and
allow for better collaboration (Lamb).
• Wikis allow students to reflect on their learning and
understand their learning process (Parker & Chao)

6. What Ways Can You Wiki?
• Develop a project or paper with peer review
• Provide free-writing space
• Allow group authoring of a project or paper
• Track a group project
• Share research, data, case studies, creative
work, etc.
• Allow student-generated review of course
material or course notes
• Post literature reviews

7. What Ways Can You Wiki?
• Build an annotated bibliography
• Create a glossary
• Develop a list of FAQs
• Keep a journal
• Establish policies or initiatives
• Support service learning projects
• Build a webpage
• Brainstorm ideas

8. What Happens in a Wiki?
• Exchange of information and knowledge
• Harnesses the combined resources of all
participants for the benefit of all
• Develops student autonomy and self-
directed learning (Mindel & Verma)
Joe Moxley, USF

9. Tracking Participation
Wikis provide the ability to
• view previous versions
• track edits made by contributors
• view comments by contributors
• chat with others

10. Wiki Setup
• Structured: instructor develops structure based
on predetermined ideas
Versus
• Unstructured: students determine structure

11. Getting Students to Participate
• Mandate use
• Provide grading scheme
• Provide clear instructions for all work done
on the Wiki
• Provide tutorial or demonstrate in class

12. Thank You
If you have any questions, please
contact me at vthomas@unm.edu
or ptietjen@unm.edu.