Abstract:

At present many new ‘digital’ language e-teaching methodologies have been developing with Computer Mediated Communication (CMC), Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) and other based on different Learning Management Systems (LMS) or platforms.
The latter could be designed for teachers self-using, but compulsory for them in Russia and usually provided by an institution (such as a school, college or university), e.g. Moodle, Blackboard, Firstclass.
Other LMS or platforms require strong programmers’ involvement and assistance, e.g. Joomla, Drupal. So, a teacher should post something only with authorized programmer’s mediation and observation.
But there is a third option possible – autonomous and independent, rather easy and suitable to self-manage and self-design, with no programmer’s mediation involved, not compulsory LMS. We are talking about Wiki as a ‘user-friendly’ and viable LMS for language e-teaching and e-learning.
Some of Wikis still need programmer help, like Wikipedia, MediaWiki. But there are many other ones intended for end-users, for individual course self-design and autonomous teacher’s and students’ work. PBWorks (former PBWiki), WikiSpaces, EduBlogs and new Google Sites (combined with Google Docs) are among most popular.
All the above listed Internet companies are Wiki software and hosting providers and offer basic site plans and technical support for educators for free. So, why not to try?
Author has 5 years practical experience of designing and implementing English Language blended wiki courses for higher education students in Russia and could mention some important outcomes, particularities and strengths of such way of online or internet education. Such as:
- possibility of collaborative learning and teaching;
- individual, even personal approach to every student participant;
- flexibility of ‘blended’ or ‘hybrid’ course creation combining F2F in-class and Distance Learning (DL) out-of-class activities and teaching methods;
- integrated and autonomous site pages self-designing by teacher and students, benefitting from Text and Multimedia Web 2.0.tools all-on-one site or even all-on-one-page concept;
- practicing social and academic approach in education, formal and informal(social) approaches;
- possibility of simultaneous intensive and creative studying of English Language, Business Science, new Internet and Computer Technologies, social and academic communication and collaboration;
- experimenting with new ‘blended’ pedagogical methods and removing psychological barriers;
- contributing to a new convergent and 'blended' teacher's personality, his multiskillness and multisubjectness.
- increasing both teaching and learning motivation and creativeness.

Keywords:

LMS, wiki, e-learning, ESP, blended learning, internet education, collaborative work, Web 2.0, social networking.