In a study by Alison Ruth and Luke Houghton, university students, undergrad and post grad, took part in a study to use a wiki to create their own text book. This task was designed because of the nature of the course, technology in business where up to date information is fast moving.
The wiki format was chosen because:
- free culture and open content (no authoritarian expert)
- collaborative nature
- pedagogical philosophical underpinnings (constructivist and pragmatic)
- learners can experiment with knowledge
- pages can be used to develop knowledge around a theme
- shout-box - where students can type a question and another student on-line can answer
- allows for multiple perspectives
Teachers and students found that the initial stage of teaching how to use the wiki needed more time (they had one lesson). That students initially found the change in method from reproducing knowledge given by an authority to creating knowledge collaboratively challenging. Some students were concerned with other students copying their work (similar fears with the student wiki case study written about earlier). Unlike the younger students the wiki was used to its full potential, full use of pages, shout-box, discussion and blog.
Taken from:
Ruth, A., Haughton, L. (2009) The wiki way of learning. Australasian Journal of Educational technology, 2009, 25(2), 135-152.
Yes, developing a culture of collaboration can be a challenge. Some tips: 1) Be up front about the purpose of a wiki and how it will be used in your class 2) lay out your expectations clearly 3) Give them support materials. Feel free to use any of my resources at http://web2educatorsupport.wikispaces.com/Wikis if you need -- just cut-and-paste if you want. 4) Give them marks for high-level (whatever that means in your context) edits of others works. 5) check out http://meganpoore.com/2009/12/07/edcom-wiki-experiences-in-the-classroom/ and http://meganpoore.com/2008/09/26/technteach-wiki-experiences-in-the-classroom/ for more useful stuff
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