Article #8 - Evaluating the use of a wiki for collaborative learning.

Article 8

Feng, S.,  & Beaumont, C. ( 2010). Evaluating the use of  a wiki for collaborative learning.  Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 47(4), 417- 431. DOI:10.1080/14703297. 2010. 518428

Summary: Based on active research in a tertiary setting, the study examined the use of wikis in collaborative work. The aims were to identify students’ perceptions of the benefits and issues of using a wiki; to explore to what degree using a wiki facilitated students’ online learning; and to attempt to identify some principles of good practice.  Data was collected via online questionnaires, interviews with random participants, and analysis of the wiki by the researchers. The wiki project was introduced using Salmon’s five stage model of e-learning (2006):

1. access and motivation
2. online socialisation
3. information exchange
4. knowledge construction
5. knowledge development

The results suggested that a wiki can promote collaborative learning, as well as confidence, by enabling rapid feedback, access to the learning of others, and the use of user-friendly navigation and tracking functions. Identified issues were with access and possible lack of personalised space within the wiki environment, vandalism and plagiarism, difficulty with leaving messages for other students, and navigating a large wiki. 

Evaluation: One very useful aspect of the article is the introduction - it gives comprehensive overview of the structure and purpose(s) of a wiki, and contrasts it to other kinds of online learning tools. Another interesting point was that in stages 3 and 4 of Salmon’s five stage model, about 40% of the students were posting critical commentary, and that 59% felt that the wiki helped to develop their initiative to kern independently.

Source: Innovations in Education and Teaching International (IETI) is a peer reviewed jounral, published by the Staff and Educational Development Association, which aims to promote “innovation and good practice in higher education through staff and educational development and subject-related practice” (IETI, 2014).

Relevance and Comparison to other sources: Compared to Article 8, this article starts with the basics - such as what a wiki is, and how it compared to other kinds of online learning environments and etching environment. Article 8 assumes some prior knowledge. The discussion of constructivist practises is also at a more introductory level. While it was noted that, as it was small study, there was not claim to generality: however, this would be a great article as a ‘first read’ for someone interested in setting up and using a wiki as a learning/teaching activity, particularly in regards to student scaffolding on how to approach collaborative online learning.