"Wikis: Pros and Cons for Adult Learners." Based on this week's readings and your previous experience with Wiki (if any), you are to blog about the pros and cons that you think Wiki may bring to enriching adult learners' learning experience. 🙌
Throughout my own adult learning experience, I have found that creating a WIKI and navigating through that process has been beneficial. It has enhanced my problem solving skills and has opened up a more creative door, so to speak. However, this process does come with a few negative drawbacks.
First, the pros:
Hazari, S., North, A., & Moreland, D. (2009) suggest that "technology tools (such as Blogs and Wikis) can empower students by giving them a chance to express their views," (p.188). Much like a blog, a wiki starts out as a fresh slate, allowing the adult learner to create a meaningful and informative page. This can also facilitate collaboration amongst peers, to which the views of other students can be shared and compared. Drawing on the community that a wiki incorporates, King & Cox (2011) elaborate on the community group's "enthusiasm or interest for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact with each other," (p. 124). This strengthens the adult learner's learning experience as they have their peers to support them. A wiki also is useful for "research coordination and collaboration," which is significant for the adult learner as they continue learning.
The cons:
One of the problems that can occur when using a WIKI as a collaboration tool amongst students is the possibility of editing errors. Since the students have the ability to edit the page at their leisure, they may incorporate information that is misleading or false. This could have a negative effect on the student(s), therefore hindering their learning experience. West & West (2009) list a set of limitations to using a wiki and one of the more important ones is the "minimal management capabilities," (p.8). This could mean that the adult learner may not have access to all of the text/editing/graphics/audio that can be useful in creating a meaningful wiki collaboration.
In conclusion, I think the pros outweigh the cons in using wiki and viewing it as an enhancement to adult learning experiences.
Hazari, S., North, A., & Moreland, D. (2009). Investigating pedagogical value of Wiki technology. Journal of information systems education. 20(2). 187-198.
King, K. & Cox, T. (2011). The professor’s guide to taming technology. Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing.
West, J. and West, M. (2009). Using Wikis for online collaboration: The power of the read-write Web. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post. One point that stood out to me was the ability for learners to have peers to support them. This in turn helps strengthens and enhances the learning experience. From the readings the ability to edit is a concern. Like you pointed out this can have a serious impact on the student. At least now passwords can be put into place so hopefully this concern will be less of a factor in a learner’s experience.
As an adult learner it is very valuable to have peer support to help navigate when water's get rough. Collaboration amongst other adult learners creates a set of skills that can be transferred and practically applied in all faucets of life. I am all in favor of adult learners familiarizing themselves with a wiki production!
DeleteOne thing that I have found in collaboration... It removes some of the fear of failing... I know, for example, in our group Wiki project, that if I say something that needs to be clarified or changed, one of my teammates can speak up. Ultimately, I just want to have a good product, and since the teammates want the same thing, I am less afraid to make a mistake.
DeleteI even felt a little trepidation before our meeting tonight, Tricia! But, then I said to myself, "it's not that scary." ... I knew that you other 3 were there for me, that I didn't have to perfect, that we would get there together!
You are absolutely correct! I feel safer, in a sense, when collaborating with peers because then you know that someone has your back. And I agree, I always going into group projects with a little hesitance because I never know how other people's learning style and aggressiveness for doing school work will jive with mine. I have a lot on my plate, but I am really laid back when it comes to working with a group: I am not aggressive!
DeleteI like how you pointed out that one of the benefits you experienced from creating a wiki in the past was enhanced problem-solving. This is a useful skill in so many ways. I appreciate you highlighting that perspective of, what could be, a frustrating process.
ReplyDeleteYou also noted two limitations of using wikis, which are both valid. As a previous collaborator of a wiki, did you find that editing errors was a concern? Also curious if you felt impacted by the minimal management capabilities?
Hello!
DeleteThank you for the questions. The only time editing errors were a concern were when reviewing the annotated bibliography on one of my projects. This came about only because there was miscommunication with the APA style. However, it is safe to say that you probably wont run into many, if any, editing errors in general.
To be honest, I did not feel impacted by the minimal management capabilities, keeping in mind that the wikis we use for class are free services.
Tricia,
ReplyDeleteGreat post on wikis! I think that you are definitely hitting the mark with the fact that they're are more pros than cons when it comes to using wikis. One thing that caught my eye in your post was the fact that they talked about how adult learners get better using wikis with the assistance of the others that they learn with. That goes right along with Hazari, North,& Moreland, in their study they, are looking at the pedagogical value of wikis because; "No longer are users' passive recipients of information which can only be read or printed; now the same users can add information to the web environment in which they interact with other interested members." (2009,para 1).
Hello!
DeleteI think it is important for us to keep in mind what we as adult learners will benefit from out learning. Take a wiki for instance, when looking at the scope of our motivation, our ability to interact with our peers, how much knowledge we have to share, and confidence, then I think we can safely gauge whether a wiki can enhance our education, (Basar, 2007). I do believe that when learning a specific skill, like creating a wiki, your peers are extremely beneficial.
Tricia,
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your post, and found myself in agreement with your main points. In particular you emphasis on the collaborative capability wikis provide to adult learners. I don't think you can underscore the importance of of being able to collaborate and share life experiences for adult learners. After all, the ability and need to share experiences is one of the key dynamics in being an adult learner. West and West (2009) make this point as well.
I'm not sure we address the extend of the potential problems with unintentional and deliberate inclusion of false information. In a small-closed wiki group such as one often used in a class room setting, it is fairly easy to manage this dynamic. However, in an "open" wiki this challenge becomes more problematic. I agree with your conclusion, pros out weigh the negatives.
Hello,
DeleteYou bring up a great point on the "unintentional" inclusion of false information. With so much information on the web today, it would be easy to promote something untrue with good intentions. That is where having your peer's insight and ability to help you edit really pays off. It has been my experience with the wikis I have produced through school that there hasn't been deliberate or unintentional information sharing with any of the collaborative groups.
Good afternoon Tricia,
ReplyDeleteGreat post! You really made me think about collaborative group work, the process of group formation, and group dynamics. I think many adult learners can remember a time during a group project that was incredibly positive and/or uncomfortable. As I think about wiki or any other collaborative project, I’m reminded of Tuckman’s (1965) model of group development. In his model, Tuckman (1965) initially proposed a four-phase group development model that includes forming, storming, norming, and performing. Obviously, the internet and wikis weren’t in existence then, but I often wonder how or if Tuckman’s model is applicable in an assignment such as our wiki projects.
Tuckman, B. (1965). Developmental sequence in small groups. Psychological Bulletin. 63(6). 384-399.
It sure seems to me like one advantage of a wiki is that the the group members can all clearly see what each person has contributed to the group... What they wrote, edited, etc. I think this helps overcome the fear of one person "doing it all".
DeleteI agree. With collaboration being key, it leaves out a peer sitting back and relaxing!
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