Is There a Space for the Teacher in a WIKI?
By Andreas Lund and Ole Smørdal
In depth paper which looks at the role of the teacher in developing online communities. Some examples and case studies together. with drawbacks (such as student reluctance to edit the contribution of others, and proliferation of ideas rather than integration) are highlighted.
Abstract
“In this paper we ask to what extent collective cognition can be
supported and sustained in classroom practices. One major
challenge for learning in technology-rich, collaborative
environments is to develop design principles that balance learner
exploration with a more goal directed effort. We argue that
teachers play a key role in such efforts and that educational wiki
designs need to allow such a role in order to support group
knowing. First, from an activity theoretical perspective we discuss
teaching in knowledge collectives as new type of educational
activity. Next, we analyze functions and meta level affordances
found in the MediaWiki application. This is followed by a
presentation of an intervention study in which the MediaWiki was
used by a class of Upper Secondary School learners in Norway.
Findings are used to discuss design principles for wikis that
support collective cognition and where there is a place for the
teacher.”
