WIKIS Collaborative Writing in Foreign Language Classrooms Rita

WIKIS: Collaborative Writing in Foreign Language Classrooms Rita M. Niemann, National University of Singapore 10/31/2021 GLo. CALL 2007 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City 1

What is a wiki? • Web 2. 0 application that allows multiple users to • create web pages • edit web pages • link web pages in order to share information • Wikis enable documents to be written • collaboratively • by using a web browser 10/31/2021 GLo. CALL 2007 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh Chity 2

Wikis in the FLT context • A writing project in a wiki can enhance • • • active knowledge construction interactive learning web-based learning collaborative learning project-based learning process oriented learning èIn line with goals and objectives in the modern FLT classroom 10/31/2021 GLo. CALL 2007 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh Chity 3

Wikis in the FLT context • Empowerment of both learners and teachers: • Process • Learners find conducive environment for collaboration • teachers can closely monitor every step of the process • teachers can assess the process • Product • learners write/publish texts online • teachers assess the final outcomes • No knowledge of any mark-up language is needed! 10/31/2021 GLo. CALL 2007 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh Chity 4

Getting started: What you need Teacher Learner 1. Internet access 2. Identify a suitable wiki provider 3. Create a wiki space ( ) 4. Access to wiki space 10/31/2021 GLo. CALL 2007 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh Chity 5

Getting started: Create a wiki 3 easy and ‘wiki’ steps: • Identify a suitable wiki space • Sign up and simply follow the step-by-step instructions to create content • Invite learners to sign up via email notification 10/31/2021 GLo. CALL 2007 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh Chity 6

Example from my teaching practice • Topic: Advertisement in Germany • Exhibition coming to NUS campus (16 -31 Nov 2007) • Objectives: • Engage learners in an authentic project task • Gather information from web-based sources in the TL • Prepare texts for recording • Goal: • Produce and publish a downloadable audio guide in MP 3 -format in German and English for campus community visiting the exhibition 10/31/2021 GLo. CALL 2007 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh Chity 7

Example: Background information • Learner group: • 21 university students on the German 5 level (+/- 240 hrs of instruction; higher intermediate level) • group meets once a week for a 3 hr seminar and once a week for a 2 hr tutorial • students from different faculties and nationalities • varied motivations for learning the language 10/31/2021 GLo. CALL 2007 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh Chity 8

Example: Language skills involved • Productive language skills • Writing in the wiki space: • • 10/31/2021 conceptualizing, structuring and producing a text constructive commenting / feedback correcting language improving structure of the text GLo. CALL 2007 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh Chity 9

Example: Language skills involved • Receptive language skills • Reading in the wiki space: • information search online • other learner-texts in the wiki • comments / feedback 10/31/2021 GLo. CALL 2007 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh Chity 10

A wiki space on wetpaint 10/31/2021 GLo. CALL 2007 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh Chity 11

Conclusion and outlook • Wikis are, indeed, wiki to set up and fill with content. • Wikis do add to quality of project work as they support our efforts to promote largely independent writing in the target language among learners. • Wikis are also very valuable tools for researchers who want to gain insights into the process, quality and nature of collaborative writing in the target language. 10/31/2021 GLo. CALL 2007 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh Chity 12

Selection of wiki spaces • Free and ad-free wiki spaces for educators: • Wikispaces: http: //www. wikispaces. com/site/for/teachers • pbwiki: http: //pbwiki. com/education. wiki • Free wiki spaces allowing you to create your own space exclusively for your group of learners: • Wikispaces: http: //www. wetpaint. com • Wikibooks: http: //en. wikibooks. org • Test & Try: • Scratchpad: http: //scratchpad. wikia. com 10/31/2021 GLo. CALL 2007 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh Chity 13

Any Questions? Contact me: clsrmn@nus. edu. sg 10/31/2021 GLo. CALL 2007 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh Chity 14