Wikis are Web 2.0 tools that can be used to publish and share information through a Web site (Frydenberg & Press, 2009). As a collaborative tool, a wiki can be used for online discussions, for facilitating coordination on group projects, and can reduce the need for frequent meetings (“Eight Ways to Use School Wikis,” 2009). It can also be used for the posting of announcements and notes that users can easily refer to when necessary. In addition, it makes the sharing of documents and ideas easy. It can also be easily set up and has a very intuitive interface that anyone can quickly learn.
In a wiki, anyone can contribute to the content on a web page by using the wiki’s Edit feature. It keeps track of the users who edited the page to ensure accountability for the posted content. Files can also be uploaded and links can be inserted. In addition, a user can be designated as the administrator who has the capability to add and remove the users who can contribute to the wiki. The administrator also serves as the moderator of the wiki.
The writer thinks that wiki is a good representation of the cloud computing approach. As it does not reside on any physical machine, the users of a wiki can access the wiki from virtually anywhere at any time. One characteristic of cloud computing is its dynamic infrastructure (Surgient, 2009), and the wiki has this characteristic, as it is scalable. It easily expands as the amount of content added to the wiki increases. No additional IT administrative work is necessary for the wiki site’s expansion.
Another characteristic of cloud computing technology is its IT-service centric approach, and the wiki provides this, as users can easily use the tool without having to learn the system and network administration side of the technology. In the same manner, cloud computing technology is based on a self-service based usage model, and the wiki does allow users to upload files, build pages, and manage the wiki on their own. As with other cloud computing services, the wiki has an intuitive and easy-to-use user interface that enables users to quickly become productive. Finally, cloud computing services have a minimally or self-managed platform, and the wiki also has this, as it provides the wiki administrator with the tools necessary for accessing the resources and policies necessary for managing the wiki.
As an assessment of the way Bentley University uses their wikis (“Video Tour of the IT101 Class”), the writer thinks that it’s an interesting, fun, and innovative way of creating a learning community within the educational environment while at the same teach teaching the students about the different facets of the Web 2.0 technology. With the way that Bentley University uses wikis, students are able to collaborate with each other, share their ideas, get to know each other better, and even get to work on projects with students from other countries in an interactive way.
In the same regard, the writer thinks that Wikispaces (2012) is a good wiki tool to be used in TUI. For one, it has free versions. It is also easy and quick to set up, enabling teachers and students to start using it right away. In addition, it has a very user-friendly and intuitive interface that blog users and word processor users can easily understand. As well, it has a lot of “cool” features, such as color and page customizations, file uploads, widgets, and others, which would motivate students to use the wiki and to further explore its uses.
In conclusion, the writer believes that the use of cloud computing will be effective in enhancing the students’ learning experience. Aside from its ease of use, it also allows teachers and students with flexibility in their learning activities. In addition, the technology’s collaborative and interactive capabilities serve as motivators for learning and innovative thinking.
References
Eight Ways to Use School Wikis. (2009, July 21). Retrieved from http://www.techlearning.com/article/46216
Frydenberg, M., & Press, L. (2009). From computer literacy to Web 2.0 literacy:
Teaching and learning information technology concepts using Web 2.0 tools.
Proc ISECON, 26. Retrieved from http://proc.isecon.org/2009/3334/ISECON.2009.Frydenberg.pdf
Surgient, M. (2009, April 9). The five defining characteristics of cloud computing.
Retrieved from http://www.zdnet.com/news/the-five-defining-characteristics-of-cloud-computing/287001
Video Tour of the IT101 Class [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.screencast.com/t/GcMea6VP
Wikispaces. (2012). Welcome to your new wiki. Retrieved from http://www.wikispaces.com/user/my/reinamarie
