1. WIKIS: Collaborative Writing in Foreign Language Classrooms
Rita M. Niemann, National University of Singapore
2/24/2019
GLoCALL 2007 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City

2. GLoCALL 2007 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh Chity
What is a wiki?
Web2.0 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
2/24/2019
GLoCALL 2007 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh Chity

3. 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
In line with goals and objectives in the modern FLT classroom
2/24/2019
GLoCALL 2007 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh Chity

4. 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!
2/24/2019
GLoCALL 2007 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh Chity

5. 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
2/24/2019
GLoCALL 2007 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh Chity

6. Getting started: Create a wiki
3 easy and ‘wiki 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 notification
2/24/2019
GLoCALL 2007 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh Chity

7. Example from my teaching practice
Topic: Advertisement in Germany
Exhibition coming to NUS campus ( 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 MP3-format in German and English for campus community visiting the exhibition
2/24/2019
GLoCALL 2007 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh Chity

8. 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
2/24/2019
GLoCALL 2007 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh Chity

9. Example: Language skills involved
Productive language skills
Writing in the wiki space:
conceptualizing, structuring and producing a text
constructive commenting / feedback
correcting language
improving structure of the text
2/24/2019
GLoCALL 2007 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh Chity

10. Example: Language skills involved
Receptive language skills
Reading in the wiki space:
information search online
other learner-texts in the wiki
comments / feedback
2/24/2019
GLoCALL 2007 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh Chity

11. A wiki space on wetpaint
2/24/2019
GLoCALL 2007 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh Chity

12. Conclusion and outlook
Wikis are, indeed, wiki 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.
2/24/2019
GLoCALL 2007 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh Chity

13. GLoCALL 2007 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh Chity
Selection of wiki spaces
Free and ad-free wiki spaces for educators:
Wikispaces:
pbwiki:
Free wiki spaces allowing you to create your own space exclusively for your group of learners:
Wikispaces:
Wikibooks:
Test & Try:
Scratchpad:
2/24/2019
GLoCALL 2007 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh Chity

14. Any Questions? Contact me: clsrmn@nus.edu.sg 2/24/2019
GLoCALL 2007 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh Chity