Collaborative Interaction in Distance Education…

Siemens (2007) discusses the evolution and increasing acceptance of distance education because of three reasons: 1) global diversity, 2) communication, and 3) collaborative interaction. In this post the third reason, collaborative interaction in distance education, is the element of discussion. There have been many technology innovations over the past few years that have dramatically increased the number of tools that can be used to enhance online and distance education. This idea of collaborating online is an important element in my selected research topic for EDUC 7102 of the use of wikis for collaboration in education. Judd, Kennedy, and Cropper (2010) define wikis as, "…websites that can be interactively edited by any number of people using simple online tools" (p. 341). Two important reasons why wikis are chosen to be the subject of research in this course include the scholars who associate the use of wikis with constructivism as well as the use of wikis as an online cloud computing internet-based learning tool. Su and Beaumont (2010) state that, "A wiki is able to provide a learning environment which is closely aligned with the social-constructivist approach and is more natural than many tools where open collaboration and the exchange of ideas are important" (p. 417). Snyder (2009) describes credits wikis and other web 2.0 technologies by saying, "These elements support an online learning community framework that is interactive, collaborative, and constructive" (p. 52).

Web 2.0 tools and their implementation in the classrooms are getting lots of attention from the educational research community and wikis are one example of these online tools (Olligies, 2010). Wikis are generally used as a collaborative learning tool for learning communities (Lin & Kelsey, 2009). The role wikis play in e-learning environments and the role wikis play as web 2.0 tools that combine social networks with online learning are discussed by Hazari, North, & Moreland (2009). The study found that, "Wikis can promote collaboration in group assignments, encourage negotiation, and make students comfortable with new generation of technology tools (Hazari, North, & Moreland, 2009, p. 195). Sheehy (2008) explores the role that wikis play in communities of practice and how it can be used as a collective knowledge repository. Florea's (2008) study about the use of wikis as, "beneficial for online information literacy instruction" (p. 428).

Distance education must evolve if it is going to continue to rise as a viable, quality educational alternative to traditional face-to-face learning contexts. Web 2.0 tools such as wikis can be an important technological tool to create a culture of collaboration and interaction if it is structured and implemented correctly. Collaboration is an increasingly important component of the world of work as well as communicating in a global society. Wikis and other web 2.0 tools provide ways to communicate effectively in a global context for both education and work, however more research must be done on how to use these tools to maximize effectiveness of their use in the fast-paced and ever changing world that we live in.


References:

Florea, M. (2008). Using webCT, wiki spaces, and eportfolios for teaching and building information literacy skills. Journal of Library Administration, 48(3/4), 411-430.

Hazari, S., North, A., & Moreland, D. (2009). Investigating pedagogical value of wiki technology. Journal of Information Systems Education, 20(2), 187-198.

Judd, T., Kennedy, G., & Cropper, S. (2010). Using wikis for collaborative learning: assessing collaboration through contribution. Australasion Journal of Educational Technology, 26(3), 341-354. 

 

Laureate, Education, Inc. (Producer). (2007). Distance Education: Higher Education, K-12, and the Corporate World  [DVD]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

 

Lin, H., & Kelsey, K. D. (2009). Building a networked environment in wikis: the evolving phases of collaborative learning in a wikibook project. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 40(2), 145-169. doi:10.2190/EC.40.2.a

 

Olliges, R. (2010). Wikis and collaboration: are they a mix?. Journal of Philosophy & History of Education, 60(1), 77-80. 

 

Sheehy, G. (2008). The wiki as knowledge repository: using a wiki in a community of practice to strengthen K-12 education. TechTrends: Linking Research & Practice to Improve Learning, 52(6), 55-60. doi: 10.1007/s11528-008-0219-9

 

Snyder, M.M. (2009). Instructional-design theory to guide the creation of online learning communities for adults. TechTrends, 53(1), 48-56. 

 

Su, F., & Beaumont, C. (2010). Evaluating the use of a wiki for collaborative learning. Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 47(4), 417-431. doi: 10.1080/14703297.2010.518428