Wiki sites are a collaborative effort to present content on a given topic. Reviewers have the opportunity to add, delete, and revise any digital text displayed. There’s no requirement of who can post and little screening is done prior to publishing. Inaccuracies may result because, after all, it’s the opinion of the reviewer making the post. Wikipedia, a free online encyclopedia that ANYONE can edit, receives a lot of criticism from members of academia because of these inaccuracies – citing that similar sites surround students in an environment of fallacies. However, I support the use of wiki sites as a starting point – a spring board to delve deeper into the content.
In 2006, Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales discouraged college students from using the site for “serious research”. According to The Chronicle of Higher Education, Wales delivered his message differently last week, changing it to be “do your own research” in regards to students utilizing Wikipedia for projects and academic assignments. One could argue either way; however, one fact remains – wiki sites present an opportunity for individuals to participate in an academic process, not just regurgitate information gleaned from texts and journals. Through reading student posts on a wiki site, you can recognize critical thinking skills and the limits they reach when seeking out supporting academic materials.
Wiki sites fold and grow as reviewers participate. The sites are only as strong in academic founding as the information the reviewers post. For the greatest outcome in learning, it’s important for reviewers to read, post their own research, and comment on others’ citations.
Using Wiki sites has a place in student activities as well. Several Student Government Associations have been cited as posting organizational constitutions on a wiki-space, encouraging members to make changes and additions. All edits are logged in the site’s history, allowing for a document to be created that’s a collaborative effort of the membership.
Not to be left out, even conferences are embracing the use of wiki-sites to change participant experiences. The APCA Advisor Summit space allows for attendees to post questions and “best practices”, while presenters give previews of the sessions to be facilitated at the summit. This wiki-space makes for a different, more engaging, conference experience. No longer do we have to sit back and wait to learn (anxious that we’ll hear the same material we’ve heard the past three years). Now we can take an active role, providing presenters with “what we need to know”, “what we’d like to know”, and “what we already know” lists.
Wiki sites are a growing culture of collaborative efforts, dependent upon participation. So I ask you, have you Wiki-ed lately?
