Using Wikis in Philosophy

Using Wikis in Philosophy

Overview

A Wiki is a type of internet-based collaboration software that allows groups of people to easily co-author content. It's most famous application is the world-wide Wikipedia. This session explores ways of using wiki software in teaching philosophy. Wikis are generally valuable to faculty because they allow easy management and updating of content (primarily text, images, and links). Students may be asked to post model work to the wiki, engage in collaborative research using the wiki as a medium for sharing findings, contribute notes, additional detail, or questions to lectures, collaborate with other students on test preparation, or host student projects. We will also discuss technical features of wikis and limitations of their usefulness.

Uses of Wikis in Teaching Philosophy

1. General Content, management of content over semesters

Front pages of courses, wiki vs. course management software, file naming for content management

2. Student Model Work

3. Collaborative Research - Critical Thinking, Philosophy Proseminar

4. Seminar Collaboration

Include mention of the Authoritativeness game.

Note possiblity of joining students across sections, across semesters. Planning lectures with parallel tabs.