The Role of 4E Cognition in Online Collaborative Knowledge Creation: Insights from Wikipedia
Online collaborative knowledge creation has become more relevant than ever, thanks to the widespread availability of internet access and the ubiquity of social media platforms. One of the most prominent examples of such collaborative knowledge creation is Wikipedia. Wikipedia is an online encyclopedia that allows anyone to create, edit, or update its content. It boasts of over 6 million articles and is available in over 300 languages. Wikipedia’s success in online collaborative knowledge creation can be attributed to 4E cognition. 4E cognition refers to four key elements: embodied, embedded, extended, and enacted. This article explores the role of 4E cognition in online collaborative knowledge creation, with a particular focus on Wikipedia.
Embodied: Emphasizing the Role of the Body and Environment in Knowledge Creation
Embodied cognition emphasizes the role of the body and environment in shaping cognitive processes. In the context of online collaboration, this refers to the role of tools and interfaces in shaping how people collaborate. In Wikipedia, this is reflected in the design of the site, which emphasizes simplicity, ease of use, and accessibility. Editors can create, edit, and update articles without being tech-savvy, thanks to the site’s user-friendly interface. This, in turn, encourages more people to participate in the collaborative process, resulting in a more diverse and comprehensive encyclopedia.
Embedded: Bridging the Gap between Individual and Collective Knowledge
Embedded cognition emphasizes the bridging of the gap between individual and collective knowledge. In the context of online collaboration, this refers to how individuals work together to create new knowledge. In Wikipedia, this takes the form of discussions, debates, and negotiations among editors. For example, editors in Wikipedia engage in discussions about the content of articles, their structure, and the sources used. These discussions highlight the different perspectives and viewpoints that editors bring to the table. Through dialogue and negotiation, editors arrive at a consensus and produce a more comprehensive article.
Extended: Making Use of Technology to Enhance Collaborative Knowledge Creation
Extended cognition emphasizes the role of technology in augmenting human cognitive processes. In the context of online collaboration, this refers to how technology can be used to enhance the collaborative process. In Wikipedia, this is reflected in the use of bots and algorithms to automate tasks such as typo correction, spam detection, and basic formatting. This frees up human editors to focus on more complex tasks, such as content creation and editing.
Enacted: Shaping Cognition through Social and Cultural Practices
Enacted cognition emphasizes the role of social and cultural practices in shaping cognition. In the context of online collaboration, this refers to how social norms, values, and practices shape the way people collaborate. In Wikipedia, this takes the form of policies, guidelines, and shared values. For example, editors in Wikipedia adhere to policies such as verifiability, neutrality, and no original research. These policies reflect the shared values of the Wikipedia community and guide editors in producing high-quality content.
Conclusion
Online collaborative knowledge creation has become an important part of our lives, and Wikipedia is one of the most successful examples of this process. The success of Wikipedia can be attributed to the way it incorporates the principles of 4E cognition. By emphasizing the role of the body and environment, bridging the gap between individual and collective knowledge, making use of technology to enhance the collaborative process, and shaping cognition through social and cultural practices, Wikipedia has created a platform that encourages diverse and comprehensive knowledge creation. As we continue to rely more on collaborative knowledge creation, we can learn valuable lessons from Wikipedia’s success in harnessing the power of 4E cognition.
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