Week 3 - engagement activity 3

The learning context for the use of a Wiki

After a week of hesitation, I am starting to "come around" to the idea that wikis could be a place where learning can take place. http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/schools.aspx Shows clear ethical and responsible guidelines on how to use Wikis and web based learning tools so that these students can stay safe so that learning can be guided in the right direction.
My concern would be that collaborative learning would be better suited inside a classroom, but to have the option to use wikis, especially for distance students or those who cannot make school would be a beneficial alternative. Most of my concern would probably lie under the banner of personal preference, but in saying that, I am not sure I am being student centered. I suppose whatever would be needed for productive learning to occur would have to be the right choice and if a Wiki is needed then there is no getting around it. I just wouldn't use them just to tick the ICT box.
  
Rachael Facer http://rachaellfacer1.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/wiki-reflection-150712.html was right when she said that the thinking hats were a good idea to use in a Wiki situation. I enjoyed using them in the short exercise we contributed to. I am trying to better understand how to use wikis in a classroom effectively (I would say our Uni exercise is a different scenario than that of a school). Should they be done in class time? Why not just get the students face-to-face to stimulate all their senses? Is it so everyone can participate? the majority of the time most of the students attend class and they probably wouldn't contribute on their own time (except if it was homework) and then you would have to make sure every student has access to a computer at home. So I believe wikis can be a great tool as an option for student learning to take place but probably not the first ICT tool I would use.
If there are people who are reading this and have some suggestions on how to use them as the "better choice" I would like to hear from you. 
Thanking you again
Shane