Using Wikis For Online Collaboration: The Power Of The Read-Write Web (Jossey-Bass Guides To Online Teaching And Learning)

How can online instructors and course designers' instruction harness the popular Web 2.0 tool, the wiki, for successful collaboration and learning outcomes? This book focuses on using wikis in the active learning processes that are the hallmark of collaborative learning and constructivism. It provides both the pedagogical background and practical guidelines, tools, and processes for accomplishing these goals with special emphasis on wikis and other collaborative design tools. This book supports the effective design and delivery of online courses through the integration of collaborative writing and design activities.

James A. West is an associate professor in the Department of Instructional Design and Technology, Western Illinois University. He has conducted extensive research in both graduate and undergraduate courses using wikis and Web 2.0.
Margaret L. West is the IT systems manager for the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Research at Western Illinois University. Her twenty-five-year career has included work in higher education, K–12, and the private sector.

Preface.
About the Authors.
ONE: Getting Ready to Wiki.
Opportunities for Online Learning.
What Is a Wiki?
Types of Wikis.
Choosing the Right Wiki.
Features of Wikis.
Setting Up the Wiki.
Summary.
TWO: Designing Wiki Projects for Collaborative Learning.
Teaching and Learning Through Wikis.
Laying the Foundation—Preparing Students for Wiki Work.
Building the Framework—Designing the Wiki Project.
Monitoring Construction—Managing the Wiki Process.
Summary.
THREE: Wiki Projects for Knowledge Construction.
Resource Bank.
Frequently Asked Questions.
Error Finding and Correcting.
Historical Time Line.
Annotated Bibliography.
Online Dialogue.
Group Summary.
Class Encyclopedia.
Summary.
FOUR: Wiki Projects for Critical Thinking.
“What If . . . ?” Scenarios.
Case Studies.
Debates.
Collaborative Research Papers.
Evaluation or Research Study.
Frame-Based Writing.
Nominal Group Technique.
Structured Online Critiques.
Summary.
FIVE: Wiki Projects for Contextual Application.
Event Plan.
Process Map.
Virtual Science Lab.
Field Research Project.
Story Creation.
Team Challenge.
Media Design Project.
Service Learning Project.
Summary.
SIX: Wikis Today and Tomorrow.
The Value of Collaborative Writing.
Integrating Wikis with Other Technologies.
What the Future Holds.
An Invitation to Collaborate.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES.
Wikis for Educators.
Web 2.0.
Collaborative Writing.
Scaffolding.
Bloom’s Taxonomy.
References.
Index.