Wiki Learning

In her article "Wiki-Based Collaborative Learning" Dr. Irfan Naufal Deputy Director, Centre for Instructional Technology and MultimediaUniversity of Science - Malaysia states that using wikis as a learning tool creates a useful space for collaborative work but the idea that "anyone" can edit the page, still frightens new users.

So what exactly frightens new users? The article argues that users are not used to working in such a collaborative space. In a comment to a previous post Ben suggests that some users are also nervous about taking on an active new role as "content-contributors" rather than the passive role of "content-consumer". I think there are many reasons that users are reluctant to dive-in. The usual suspects like techno-phobia and the like are major causes but I also believe that users are afraid of someone using the "anyone can edit" privilege to harm the wiki as a whole. Vandalize it, if you will. So users are unwilling to work on stacking a bunch of blocks, if they know someone will just come by and knock it down.

I have been working with wikis for several years now and I honestly believe that a wiki is only as good as the community that supports or "patrols" it. I always find it interesting how cyber-spaces mimic real life spaces. For example: A neighborhood park will only stay in shape if the community helps keep it up. If no one visits the park, or helps keep it clean by picking up after themselves or by reporting suspicious activities to the authorities, then the park will succumb to graffiti, vandalism and neglect.

Such is the fate of a wiki. If the wiki's community pitches together to keep it on subject, clean-up vandalism (people entering false information) and contributes quality content often, then the wiki will thrive. Otherwise the wiki will fall into ruin.

Wiki's are a reflection of the communities that use them.

I feel that the wiki we use in the Bachelor of Business Administration is in a great position to live a long and happy life because our users really care about the quality of information that is being distributed to their fellow users.

How about you? Have you had a particularly good or bad experience using a public or private wiki? I'd love to hear about it!