Tuesday, May 01, 2007

Wiki Pedagogy

When I had a thesis chapter seminar presentation last week one topic discussed was wikipedia. The opinion of the group seemed to be divided along those more senior researchers who used it but spoke of its weaknesses and those still going through basic research training who were more blindly enthusiastic about it. Now I have found a general paper looking at wikis and pedagogy:

Wiki Pedagogy
Author(s) : Renée Fountain
Abstract
This article endeavours to denote and promote pedagogical experimentations concerning a Free/Open technology called a "Wiki". An intensely simple, accessible and collaborative hypertext tool Wiki software challenges and complexifies traditional notions of - as well as access to - authorship, editing, and publishing. Usurping official authorizing practices in the public domain poses fundamental - if not radical - questions for both academic theory and pedagogical practice.
The particular pedagogical challenge is one of control: wikis work most effectively when students can assert meaningful autonomy over the process. This involves not just adjusting the technical configuration and delivery; it involves challenging the social norms and practices of the course as well (Lamb, 2004). Enacting such horizontal knowledge assemblages in higher education practices could evoke a return towards and an instance upon the making of impossible public goods” (Ciffolilli, 2003).

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