1. Rationale for using and engaging with wikis

2. Preparation for using wikis

3. Purpose and uses of wikis

4. Wiki to aid in assessment

5. Outcomes from using wikis

6. Staff likes about using wikis

7. Staff dislikes about using wikis

Findings – Staff Survey

Common themes why staff use wikis:• To facilitate collaboration and communication between students• To assist students to meet and get to know each other• To assist students to construct their own knowledge of a discipline• To assess the base level knowledge of students in the early stages

of the course

Staff found out about wikis from colleagues and research

Staff used WetPaint; PBwiki and Wikispaces

Levels of staff expertise varied.

Most staff viewed their wiki several times each week

Staff Survey 1. Rationale for using and engaging with wikis

Staff development:

• Research on web resources abut using wikis

• Online advisor training/support

• Research journal articles

Preparation for students:

• Clearly explaining the purpose of the wiki

• Clearly explaining the expectations concerning participation and assessment

• Introductory lecture or session with online advisor demonstrating wiki

Staff Survey 2. Preparation for using wikis

Staff Survey 3. Purpose and uses of wikis

• To collaboratively develop a report• To create a reference website• As a social networking site (for the staff member to get to

know students and for students to get to know each other)• To composed a report on a case study• To provide online activities for students to develop skills

and experience as future educators• To facilitate group work/discussion which contributed to a

report

• ‘25% of the project was allocated for collaborative work in wikis, so I use the statistics in wikis to mark them not only about the frequency students are online but also on their responses to feedback from others about the project. In addition, they were also assessed on the quality of their feedback in terms of driving the momentum of the group work towards completion.’

• ‘Wiki work counted as 10% of grade based on completion of 8 weekly activities’

• ‘Work was assessed against criteria such as use of resources, analysis and synthesis, critical thinking, responsiveness. Each individual's contribution was separately graded. Students were allowed to contribute up to 500 words’

Staff Survey 4. Wikis to aid in assessment

• Students gained a greater understanding of the subject matter• Students contributed to a shared knowledge• The wiki gave students a sense of responsibility and ownership of

their learning• Students developed their written communication skills• Students became more willing to accept new ideas• Students developed their problem solving skills• Students developed their research skills• Students developed their abilities to work as team members• Students became more confident about contributing in a group

Staff Survey 5. Outcomes from using wikis

• The wiki enabled me to see which students were contributing and whether their ideas were on-track. It enabled the students to establish the space rather than me spending time to create numerous discussion boards.

• The wiki simplified the administration of the course. There is no longer a need to setup and manage secure group discussion boards. All the administration for wikis is undertaken by the students themselves.

• Students have this sense of ownership of their group's site and the responsibility of facilitating their group learning. That group work can easily be done online, not everyone has to meet face to face.

• The wiki provided a platform for online students to contribute and demonstrate their ICT skills

• The wiki was a good 1st assessment piece which got students engaged early in demonstrating their understanding of course material

• The wiki let me see the photos of my students

Staff Survey 6. Staff likes about using wikis

• Having weekly updates from all the groups was a bit overwhelming

• Reviewing the large number of entries• The account management• Getting so many emails from students asking me to be their

friend!

Staff Survey 7. Staff dislikes about using wikis

1. Students’ current engagement

2. Preparing students to use wikis

3. Students’ experiences using wikis

4. Students’ learning outcomes in wikis

5. Students’ likes about wikis

6. Students’ dislikes about wikis

Findings - Student Survey

Student Survey 1. Students’ current engagement

Student Survey 2. Preparing students to use wikis

Statement

Students Ranking (%)

Strongly Agree - Agree

Neutral Disagree – Strongly Disagree

My course coordinator/tutor clearly explained the purpose of the wiki. 40 23 37

My course coordinator/tutor clearly explained the level of contribution expected of me. 48 19 33

•Introductory lectures on using wikis (22%)•User guides on how to use wikis (22%)•Guidelines for ethical behaviour (16%)•Ice-breaker activity (15%)•Hands on session on using wikis in a computer

pool (13%)•Assistance given by Learning Adviser (11%)

Student Survey 2. Preparing students to use wikis

Student Survey 2. Preparing students to use wikis

Learning activities:• Contributing ideas (44%)• Sharing useful resources (34%)• Storing course/assignment/project

information (31%) • Group discussion forums (30%)• Reviewing and commenting on the

work of others (26%)• Compiling information (23%)• Getting to know group members

(19%)

Student Survey 3. Students’ experiences using wikis

Statements exploring students’ experience of using wiki in their course.

Students Ranking (%)Strongly Agree - Agree

Neutral Disagree – Strongly Disagree

I felt confident about writing on the wiki. 42 26 32I felt confident providing feedback and/or editing other member's writing on the wiki.

43 27 29

I felt confident receiving feedback and/or having my writing edited by other members of the wiki. 37 29 34

The members of the wiki were willing to share their ideas, comments and findings.48 28 24

I felt my contribution was valued by the other members of the wiki.35 40 25

All members of my group made a fair contribution to the wiki. 25 41 34I was able to schedule times into my course workload to contribute to the wiki.

34 44 19

My tutor provided feedback on the wiki throughout the course. 20 41 39My tutor supported the wiki by providing learning activities. 31 37 32Participating in the wiki was a positive experience. 37 40 23

• I have contributed to a shared knowledge (33%)• I have gained a greater understanding of the subject matter (21%)• I have developed my ability to work as a team member (18%)• I have become more willing to consider other points of view (14%)• I feel more confident about approaching unfamiliar problems (14%)• I have developed my skills in written communication (14%)• I have developed my research skills (14%)• I feel more confident about receiving feedback from my peers (13%)• I have a better understanding about ethical behaviour in an online environment

(12%)• I have developed my problem solving skills (12%)• I have become more willing to accept new ideas (11%)

Student Survey 4. Students’ learning outcomes using wikis

• The convenience of being online and being able to contribute anytime, anywhere

• Exposure to new ideas• The fact that the wiki was a single store of useful information• Collaborative aspects of wikis• Ease of use• The technology was new, fun and interesting• Learning in a non-threatening environment• The ability to see what other people were doing• Consolidation of what was learnt in class• Being able to edit and publish work online

Student Survey 5. Student likes about using wikis

• Lack of instruction (many respondents reported that they would have found a introduction/explanation of a wiki, a hands on session or an instructional guide useful)

• Lack of contribution/participation from other members of the wiki• Certain technical features of the wiki were disliked. These included ‘clunky

editing’, simultaneous editing issues (were work is lost when two or more people edit the same page at the same time), excessive email notifications and difficulty referencing

• Lack of clarity/expectations (respondents disliked not knowing how the wiki would be assessed and what was expected of them. Some respondents reported that they couldn’t see the relevance of using a wiki for their particular assignments.)

Student Survey 6. Student dislikes about using wikis

• Lack of feedback/support from tutors/lecturers (respondents indicated that they would have preferred a stronger tutor/lecturer presence to guide and support the wiki)

• Being marked as a group (some respondents felt that their grade was lowered by other members of the group who didn’t contribute to the wiki fairly). One respondent spent a lot of time editing other members’ contributions and that they were penalised because the quantity of their contributions was less than the other members.

• One student found it difficult to make meaningful contributions to the wiki after the first few posts when members had already covered the topic ‘comprehensively’.

• Some respondents didn’t feel confident about working on the wiki and didn’t feel comfortable editing other members’ work

• Some respondents disliked the fact that the wiki was yet ‘another thing to do’ online and that ‘not everyone has constant access’

Student Survey 6. Student dislikes about using wikis