Wiki's

Previously we have looked at both websites and blogs. We have established that websites are great teaching tools when direct and factual information needs to be presented, and blogs are a great teaching tools as students can comment on posts and ask questions relating to the post. However, a wiki is a totally different program which offers great benefits to students and teachers.

A wiki is a type of web document which allows visitors of the site can edit and change information that has been previously posted on the site. Visitors can edit information that has been posted by other indiviudals. By clicking the edit button, the webpage become a type of word document allowing the visitor to change the informatio. Once finished, the visitor clicks saved and the document is transformed into a web page once again.

Wiki's relalte to the learning theory " Big 6" in the aspect of "Synthesis". Wiki's allow information to be transformed numerous times, by many different members of a group. Once the information has been transformed, it is presented in an organised manner.

Wikis allow information to be edited and reedited by many different people. Intergrating wikis into the classroom would be very effective when it comes to group tasks, as student can gather all their information onto one site, and they can add or edit information on the wiki as they gather new knowledge about the task. However, the disadvantage with wikis is that because students can edit information other people have posted, some students may disrespect this priviledge and post inappropriate information. Therefore, it would be necessary for a teacher to overlook the wiki and ensure they are being used effectively and correctly.