Sose+and+Wikis

Cathy McMahon u3025770
====Awareness of the educational potential of wikis and other Web2.0 technologies is readily growing with a growing body of literature on the subject (See Google Scholar Results for 'wiki classroom') which highlights the benefits associated with their use within classrooms.==== ====Ferris and Wilder (2008, p.1) define a wiki as: "a unique interface where information is not fixed but fluid and flexible to meet the needs of the community" and along with other literature (see: Hazari, North & Moreland, 2009), claim that it is this flexibility which holds the greatest potential for the application of wikis into the classroom.====

The literature proposes that Wiki's (along with other Web2.0 technologies) provide substantial benefits when used as an education tool, including:

 * ====Increased motivation.====
 * ====Students as active, rather than passive learners.====
 * ====The provision of a student centred approach to learning.====
 * ====The ability to cater for multiple intelligences and learning styles.====

(Schrand, 2008, as cited in: Hazari, North & Moreland, 2009, p.187).

 * ====Fostering collaboration====

(Richardson, 2006, as cited in Hazari, North & Moreland, 2009, p.188 )

 * ====The psychological benefits from enabling students to share their own views.====
 * ====Positive effects on reading, writing and collaborating skills====

(Leight 2008, Hazari, North & Moreland, 2009, p.189).
====Hazari, North and Moreland (2009, p.189) further justify the use of wiki's as they are underpinned by both constructivist and engagement learning theories. Their study regarding the pedagogical effectiveness of wikis highlighted their ability to encourage collaboration, negotiation and the use of technology, yet still concede that one instance of pedagogical technology cannot dramatically impact upon learning outcomes (Hazari, North and Moreland, 2009 p.195).====

Hsu (2007, as cited in Hazari, North & Moreland, 2009, p.191) proposes that wikis are beneficial for the follow types of tasks:

 * ====brainstorming activities,====
 * ====group discussions,====
 * ====knowledge base creating,====
 * ====collaborative writing.====

Ferris and Wilder (2008) recommend the above, as well as the use of wiki's to aid in problem solving.
====I believe that the rationale and applications proposed above have considerable connections to the teaching of SOSE. Firstly, as wiki use is associated with constructivist pedagogy, they can be used to support the teaching and learning that is already occuring within the classroom. This is possible as the applications suggested by the literature are tasks that are readily observable in SOSE teaching practices.==== ====I do strongly believe with the outcome of Hazari, North and Moreland's (2009) study regarding how as a single entity, a wiki cannot dramatically influence learning outcomes. Although the use of a particular technology may have educational benefits, I believe they are only going to be as good as the other elements of teaching (i.e content, pedagogy). Consequently, I believe the effective use of wiki's in the classroom requires their use to be supported by pedagogy, content and guidance which align with the theoretical position of wikis - to support students in the creation of knowledge.====