Advantages of Wikis

Disadvantages of Wikis

·         Free wiki software available.  Easy to create an account and make wiki.

• Knowledge of some computer language (html) can help troubleshoot problems and make it easier to customize

·         No large amount of technical knowledge is required

• Can be uncomfortable to use unfamiliar software¹

   

·         Have access to wiki after the class officially ends

• Possibilities of vandalism, but can be helped by password access and review of old versions.

   

·         Promotes creativity (goes beyond a plain text essay –includes multimedia)¹

• Difficult to authenticate the source and the qualifications of writers unless its ability to edit is controlled

   

·         In touch and interested in what other students write¹

• Technical support may be limited to your wiki provider (University IT services may not be able to troubleshoot)

   

·         All team members can have access to the wiki anytime anywhere³

• Can possibly be time consuming for the teacher to set up (if they intend on first posting a lot of original data to get the site up)¹

   

·         Have future classes expand the same wiki, creating a research center of information²

• If relying on free wiki software, the company could discontinue the service or start charging

   

·         Sense of ownership¹

• Plagiarism and copyright issues; be sure everything is cited that is written by you and be wary that outsiders can steal what you’ve created³

   

·         Greater attention to work because anyone can read entries¹

• If outsiders can add entries, you may want to monitor the wiki

   

·         Expression of ideas however long or short they may be, and whenever they occur¹

• Easy to drastically change content from original form

   

·         Easy to share information; don’t have to send files over e-mail³

• Overwhelming for teacher to grade if too many entries (tell students what assignments will be graded to combat this)¹

   

·         Students get a sense of responsibility¹

·         Everybody is working on the same document; no need to keep track of different versions³

·         Previous versions can be recovered if there is a need for it³

·         Great as shared online sketchpads⁴

·         Online space for brainstorming⁴

·         Perfect for creating perpetually updated lists or collections of links⁴

• Easy for users to grasp utility as informal bulletin boards⁴

   

• Learn new skills³

   

References for this chart:

1=http://www.bowdoin.edu/news/archives/english/000021.shtml

2=http://socialjustice.ccnmtl.columbia.edu/index.php/Main_Page

3=http://wik.ed.uiuc.edu/index.php/Wikis_in_Online_Education

4=http://www.educause.edu/pub/er/erm04/erm0452.asp?bhcp=1