Using Wikis for Online Collaboration: The Power of the Read-Write Web

by James A. West, Margaret L. West

Overview

Using Wikis for Online Collaboration is a practical resource for learning to harness the power of wikis to create a shared environment where online students can actively participate in the integration and co-creation of knowledge. This important book shows how to plan, design, and facilitate collaborative wiki projects into effective online courses. Written by James and Margaret West, Using Wikis for Online Collaboration offers

• Information on the technology and infrastructure needed for implementing a wiki

• Guidelines for selecting wiki services and software

• Ideas for preparing online students for success using wikis

• Advice on pedagogical issues when creating wikis

• Tips for planning and designing the wiki project framework

• Suggestions for managing the collaborative writing process

• Suggested projects that support cognitive processing and knowledge construction

• Guidance for creating complex activities that highlight critical thinking and analysis

Using Wikis for Online Collaboration is the seventh book in the Jossey-Bass Guides to Online Teaching and Learning series. It offers concrete and practical resources to help higher education practitioners meet the challenges of the online learning environment.

Praise for Using Wikis for Online Collaboration

"A practical guide for the 'newbie' as well as the experienced technology user or instructional designer. Using Wikis for Online Collaboration provides invaluable guidelines and activities for incorporating this important Web 2.0 tool into an online or classroom setting."
—J. Ana Donaldson, associate professor, Instructional Technology, University of Northern Iowa

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780470472217
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	12/23/2008
Series:	Jossey-Bass Guides to Online Teaching and Learning , #15
Sold by:	JOHN WILEY & SONS
Format:	eBook
Pages:	160
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

THE AUTHORS

James A. West is an associate professor in the Department of Instructional Design and Technology, Western Illinois University. He has conducted extensive research in both graduate and undergraduate courses using wikis and Web 2.0.

Margaret L. West is the IT systems manager for the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Research at Western Illinois University. Her twenty-five-year career has included work in higher education, K–12, and the private sector.

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Table of Contents

Preface xiii

About the Authors xvii

ONE Getting Ready to Wiki 1

Opportunities for Online Learning 2

What Is a Wiki? 3

Types of Wikis 6

Choosing the Right Wiki 9

Features of Wikis 10

Setting Up the Wiki 17

Summary 19

TWO Designing Wiki Projects for Collaborative Learning 21

Teaching and Learning Through Wikis 21

Laying the Foundation—Preparing Students for Wiki Work 22

Building the Framework—Designing the Wiki Project 31

Monitoring Construction—Managing the Wiki Process 45

Summary 57

THREE Wiki Projects for Knowledge Construction 59

Resource Bank 60

Frequently Asked Questions 62

Error Finding and Correcting 64

Historical Time Line 66

Annotated Bibliography 69

Online Dialogue 72

Group Summary 73

Class Encyclopedia 74

Summary 77

FOUR Wiki Projects for Critical Thinking 79

“What If . . . ?” Scenarios 80

Case Studies 82

Debates 85

Collaborative Research Papers 88

Evaluation or Research Study 90

Frame-Based Writing 93

Nominal Group Technique 95

Structured Online Critiques 98

Summary 100

FIVE Wiki Projects for Contextual Application 101

Event Plan 102

Process Map 104

Virtual Science Lab 109

Field Research Project 112

Story Creation 114

Team Challenge 115

Media Design Project 118

Service Learning Project 121

Summary 123

SIX Wikis Today and Tomorrow 125

The Value of Collaborative Writing 125

Integrating Wikis with Other Technologies 126

What the Future Holds 126

An Invitation to Collaborate 128

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES 129

Wikis for Educators 129

Web 2.0 129

Collaborative Writing 130

Scaffolding 130

Bloom’s Taxonomy 130

References 131

Index 135