Abstract
Wikis are an emerging user-created content technology which can potentially have a great impact on language learning classrooms. This action research paper reports on student behavior when completing a wiki project designed using principles of constructivism. Results of a survey revealed that students thought wikis provided opportunities to learn from and help each other. Results from an interpersonal intra-wiki hyperlink analysis showed that when constructing knowledge in the wiki, each group member mainly contributed to their own pages with little awareness for hyperlinking within their wiki. The findings of this small action research demonstrate that for the right classroom objectives, wikis designed with constructivist principles could be used to enhance students’ language learning experiences.
Highlights
Wikis, an emerging, knowledge creating technology of the innovative Web 2.0, and constructivism, a theory encompassing ideas of learning and the environment used to stimulate active learning, are inextricably connected with each other in a myriad of ways
Question I enjoyed learning how to make a wiki I enjoyed writing in my wiki Wikis are a good way to learn from my classmates I learned some new things from my classmates I enjoyed working on my own than working as a group I set time goals for which to complete my writing I enjoyed designing my own wiki webpages My group helped each other with the wiki I did more research about my topics outside of class I thought about my topics more deeply than I did in class The teacher helped me and my group a lot Interpersonal Intra-Wiki Hyperlink Analysis
When asked if “wikis are a good way to learn from my classmates” (i3), 19 students responded affirmatively and 9 students strongly agreed with this statement
Summary
An emerging, knowledge creating technology of the innovative Web 2.0, and constructivism, a theory encompassing ideas of learning and the environment used to stimulate active learning, are inextricably connected with each other in a myriad of ways. Twomey Fosnot and Perry (2005) affirm that learning is viewed as complex and fundamentally non-linear and new technologies, of which wikis are one, have been described by Kaufman In terms of empowerment, Twomey Fosnot (2005) asserts that within constructivism, knowledge construction is an active process where learners are empowered to take ownership of their learning; and within this learning centered medium, Minocha and Roberts (2008) judge wikis to be an empowering tool as students find their own voice
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