UMWiki
Definition
UMWiki is a Web-based wiki tool maintained by the Office of Information Technology that enables participants to collaborate synchronously and asynchronously.
Wikis are collaborative Web sites that can be edited using a Web browser. In many cases, such as the famous Wikipedia, this means anyone in the world can edit existing pages, create new pages, delete content, or rename pages. Most class wikis, however, have some security features built in so only the class can view and edit them. Some may even restrict writing and editing of pages to designated persons or groups. Wiki isn't an acronym. It comes from the Hawaiian word for "quick," and derives from the name of the first wiki, "The Wiki Wiki Web."
Educational Uses
The advantages of using wikis in classes are that they
- promote a truly collaborative environment,
- support a transparent writing and revision process, and
- enable students to provide community service and engage the public.
Wikis can be used when you need an easily edited Web site, and/or when you want to support any kind of collaborative work. For example, a wiki might be used for
- collaborative writing projects,
- workgroup management tools,
- online reference guides and resource manuals,
- student projects and electronic portfolios, and
- service learning projects.
Issues
Instructors should be aware of some issues when they use this tool for teaching and learning.
- Students may be used to receiving feedback on their work, but not having their work corrected, edited, revised, and even deleted by a peer or an instructor. They should be prepared for this form of collaboration. Remember: "There is no 'I' in 'wiki'!"
- The work, and even the identities, of students should not be made available publicly without their consent.
Examples
To see examples of how other instructors are using this type of tool to enhance teaching and learning, see the links below.
Blogs and Wikis
Read our article about how Tim Gustafson, associate director of the composition program in the Department of English at the University, has used blogs and wikis in his classes.
Matt Barton's HomePage
Barton, an assistant professor of English at St. Cloud State University, publishes a wiki that includes a number of class wikis and scholarly work about wikis in education.
Social Justice Movements
Students at Columbia University and Barnard College developed this wiki for Robin Kelley's Black Movements in the U.S. course.
University Libraries Staff Home Page
University Libraries staff members share internal information using a wiki.
Wikipedia
This online encyclopedia is the best-known Wiki in the world.
Resources
The following sources may help you use and teach with this type of tool.
For Teachers New to Wikis
This wiki site "provides evolving information on how to incorporate wikis into your classroom."
7 Things You Should Know about Wikis
This portable document file (PDF) handout provides a brief and jargon-free introduction to wikis.
Teaching With Wikis
This wiki site is devoted to the exploration of how wikis can support teaching and learning. Select the "Teaching with Wikis" link on the home page.
Using Wikis as Collaborative Writing Tools
This wiki site "focuses on the use of wiki as a tool for writing and for teaching writing."
