Abstract:

The presentation will demonstrate how wikis can be used in the adult ESOL classroom. It will highlight the use of wikis as a possible solution to the problems instructors face when they try to use blogs as language learning solutions with students of varying levels of both language proficiency and exposure to computer technology.

The presentation will show how wikis can be used to create scaffolded learning opportunities in the adult ESOL classroom, empowering students to co-create knowledge in the context of their surroundings in both the classroom and in the world outside. It will show how wikis can empower ESOL students to work together to learn about American culture, increase their command of English, and improve their computer skills.

During the presentation, I will ground the use of wikis in an ESOL classroom in the context of Lave & Wenger’s theories of situated learning and community of practice. I will discuss wikis and their implications for the ESOL classroom in the context of socially constructed knowledge and educational cooperation.

As part of the presentation, I will introduce pbworks.com, a free wiki platform hosted online. I will demonstrate how pbworks.com can be used to quickly create a student-centered solution to language acquisition while also developing useful computer skills.

In response to concerns related to public access of private spaces, I will show how online wikis can be used to create private spaces in public areas, through the use of limited access and registered users.

Keywords:

Wikis, Adult ESOL, Community of Practice, Situated Learning, Computer Assisted Language Learning.