Working In a Wiki Environment: Preservice Teachers’ Experiences and Perceptions: The Case of Geometry

Wikis in Education

Wikis can support the delivery of class curriculum and projects, as well as the discussion during the process of creating and sharing knowledge (Leuf & Cunningham, 2001). Tonkin (2005) identified four categories of the wiki use in the education field:

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  Single-user: This use allows individual students to write and edit their own thoughts. It is useful for revision and monitoring changes in understanding over a period of time.

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  Lab book: This use enables students to peer review notes kept online by adding commentary, annotations or other additions to existing lecture notes, seminar discussions, lesson plans, etc.

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  Collaborative writing: This writing can be carried out by a team for joint project or for research such as a group initiative, essay or presentation.

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  Knowledge base: Through collaborative entries, students can create course content that supplements and extends delivered material.

Raman, Rayn, and Olfman (2005) examined the use of wikis in facilitating the creation of a knowledge management system. They chose the wiki technology for its following characteristics: (1) Wiki technology is easy to install (and free), (2) Wiki technology provides capability for easy access and editing, (3) Wiki technology allows a class to develop a knowledge base readily, and (4) Wiki technology can aid knowledge creation and sharing in both corporate and academic settings. Raman, Rayn, and Olfman (ibid) found that wikis can support collaborative knowledge creation and sharing in an academic environment. The factors that influence the success to provide such support are: familiarity with wiki technology, careful planning for implementation and use, appropriate class size, and motivation of students to engage in discovery learning.