Abstract:
This paper explores the main effects of implementing the use of Wikipedia as tool to promote collaborative learning and enhance learning of English as a second language. During the 2016 fall semester, a pilot project was implemented at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador- Quito campus with the support of Ecuadorian Wikipedia volunteers and a member of the Wikimedia Foundation. The project was carried out with 53 LEAI (School of Multilingual Studies of International Business and Relations) students. Initially, 6 students enrolled in a 3rd year course dedicated to Cross Cultural Communication had to deliver their partial exams solely on Wikipedia as part of their course curriculum. Soon after, 47 freshmen participated in a content-related activity by writing an article about influential Ecuadorian women as part of their English for International Affairs and Oral and Listening Skills classes and to upload it on Wikipedia. Results show that students who participated in these projects improved their team- working abilities, as well as their foreign language skills while contributing to increase and develop content in the open-access encyclopedia. Nevertheless, research should further examine the impact of Wiki-projects on larger populations and different classroom settings.