How to promote effectiveness in terms of time in networking processes

Abstract

Because time is present in all learning activities it is important to consider how to optimize it. This is even more important in e-learning given the virtual student profile, most of them adults who do not have time. A tool that seems to favor time management is the wiki. The aim of this article is to analyze how the wiki can favor efficiency in networking processes. The general context is the "ICT skills" course by the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya. Starting from a qualitative methodology, the paper analyzes how students working in small groups carry out a virtual project through a wiki. In terms of encouraging effectiveness by using a wiki in a networking context, data show that it is important to consider three elements: the time required to learn how the tool works, organizing the process and optimizing usage of the tool. The paper provides some key elements along these lines.