“Wikipedia is one of the most searched and referenced internet websites in the world and currently stores more than 17 million articles with the number increasing rapidly every day and claims to have an estimated 325 million readers (21 users to each of these articles)”.

The term “wiki” evolved from the Hawaiian word “quick” but now has its very own definition: a web application that allows anyone visiting the site to comment on its information. This allows readers of the site to use collaborative learning skills to gain more information and discover different aspects, view points and ideas of similar topics.

Collaborative learning is a situation where two or more individuals attempt to learn about a particular topic together. As opposed to individual learning, people involved in collaborative exercises capitalize on each other’s skills and resources (asking for information, evaluating different ideas, monitoring the groups work etc.). Collaborative learning, more specifically, is where members are actively interacting and sharing experiences with one another and each individual then depends on and becomes accountable to the other members involved. On a personal level, I believe wikis and collaborative learning are great ways for students to interact with one another in an academic environment and share common/opposing ideas in order to develop and grow new concepts and ways of thinking.

I have come up with a list of several positive effects of incorporating collaborative learning (such as the use of wikis and other sites of its kind) within the Australian curriculum of education:

1. Academic Achievement. Produces gain across all content areas, all grade levels and amongst all types of students.

2. Self-Esteem. Increase in feelings, social and academic esteem.

3. Empathy. Ability to take the role of others and begin to understand the view points and feelings of those involved.

4. Social Skills. Increases skills including talking, listening, sharing, conflict resolution and leadership.

5. Responsibility. Gain sense of control – feel more like origins than pawns and take initiative.

6. Participation. Volunteering leads to future involvement.

7. Workplace Skills. Learn teamwork skills and prepares them for independent team-based exercises for the future.

Wikis and collaborative learning, although great ways to educate and prepare students for their futures beyond school, is only one direction teachers may take to steer students in the right direction. There are many great methods of educating students that teachers may use in order to stimulate their minds and motivate them to learn.

However, I believe that after being involved in many collaborative learning exercises throughout the first semester at University this year, as well as individual set tasks, my views, ideas and knowledge of particular topics have advanced and bettered throughout this process. FOr example, students in my education tutorial were asked to find themselves in groups of 4-6 and discuss what ICT programs we would choose to operate within the curriculum to get students more motivated to learn. My ideas were only so creative, but with the incorporation and involvement of several other minds all working together to get to a final solution, our end product was much clearer and more thought out.

Bibliography

Jonassen, D. H., Howland, J., Marra, R. M., & Crismond, D. (2008). Meaningful learning with technology (3rd ed.). New Jersey: Pearson. (Chapter 4. Pages 61 -80). This reading is called "Supporting Writing with Technology".

Finger, G., Russell, G., Jamieson-Proctor, R., & Russell, N. (2007). Transforming learning with ICT: Making it happen. Frenchs Forest: Pearson Education Australia. (Chapter 4, pages 110 - 150) Chapter 4 is called "ICT planning issues and ideas: How do teachers plan for ICT integration and for transforming learning with ICT?".

Spencer, K. (2012) Kagan’s articles. Retrieved May 25, 2013, from http://www.kaganonline.com/free_articles/dr_spencer_kagan/ASK06.php

Maheshwari, D. (2013) Top 10 facts about Wikipedia. Retrieved May 25, 2013, from http://www.itpro.co.uk/630061/top-10-facts-about-wikipedia