Abstract:

“I cannot teach anybody anything but I can only make them think” Socrates
Critical thinking is considered an important element in learning process. In today’s educational environment teaching and learning processes are dominated by technological applications. Technology has played an important role in approaching knowledge and developing critical thinking. Wiki is one of the popular Web 2.0 components that can be used to enhance learning process and outcomes. It is established in the decade of 2000. Wikis are websites that allow instructors and students to create and edit interlinked web pages. Wiki platform can be used from the administrators to develop pages, edit, change and improve contexts as well as communicate with learners.

This paper will focus on a case study based on use of wiki in teaching Ancient World History class and its outcomes regarding the secondary lever of education. Wiki use reflects the view of an instructor as one who facilitates information sharing among learners. Motivation and purpose are important elements in developing a wiki for history classes. The aim of this paper is to examine the usefulness of wikis in teaching history class and its influence on students’ attitudes regarding history curriculum.

Some of the main objectives for the learners of History classes in Secondary level of education are as follows: a) To understand the present through the past, b) analyze it and compare it to modern world, c) understand their responsibility in community and in society in general, d) respect others, e) understand the necessity for the evaluation of historical resources as well as to develop students’ critical thinking. It is also the communication with tools and techniques that allow learners to recreate history and understand it as well as live it using methods of historical research. One more aim is to develop values and transmit them to learners. In addition, educational aims such as an introduction to Web 2.0 and the promotion of students’ ability to use wikis will be examined. In this paper, the importance of safe internet regulations, parents’ concerns, design of wiki for Ancient World History class, type of assignments, students’ opinions and comments, establishment of values as well as the results of teaching process will be presented.

In particular, a history wiki will be examined and activities developed to engage students and encourage them. One of the results is that wiki platform is a useful tool in teaching and learning process as well as classroom interaction is an essential element for both of them. The combination of in-person and online students’ engagement has resulted more efficient teaching and learning outcomes.

Keywords:

On-line history class, wiki platform, educational tool, on-line teaching, e-history class.