Wiki is a Hawaiian word which means fast. Luce-Kapler (2007) describes a wiki as "an easily learned, open-source software program that allows all users to access and edit the pages on an ongoing basis." Richardson (2009) also defines a wiki as "a website where anyone can edit anything they want." This can be beneficial as well as harmful as users can easily create and/or edit web pages. One of the benefits of wikis is that they allow collaboration and users are actively involved in online participation. (Knobel and Lankshear, 2009) Wiki pages can contain audio, pictures and/or videos as well as texts and hyperlinks. They also allow online users to share online writing and can be used to enhance literacy education.
One of the key benefits of wikis is that it facilitates online and offline collaboration (as discussions could continue offline), thereby promoting in and out of classroom literacy. Students can access wiki pages anywhere there is a computer and Internet access making it easily accessible. Wiki pages provide information to many researchers and one of the most common wikis is Wikipedia.
In addition, wiki pages can be used by struggling writers to assist in developing their writing skills. The online collaborative work could also allow peer editing to take place as students can edit each others writing. Students may also embed images such as diagrams or graphics, pieces of drawing and these can be used to showcase students' talents or accomplishments in art or other areas. Wikis create an online network of meaning as they enable meaningful online participation.
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