Wikis as a workspaceThis presentation provides a case study of the use of a wiki as a
collaborative workspace.
You can visit the wiki at http://sciencewiki.staffs.ac.uk
The case study was first presented at the LDI Showcase at Staffordshire
University on 16/04/11 by Alison Davidson.
Introduction
The wiki was set up as a collaborative workspace for a
BSc(Hons) Policing and Criminal Investigation module called
Science for Justice.
SHS82126-1:
Alison Davidson
The module required
students with little science
background to attend lab
sessions and produce a
group report
Formative WorkA piece of formative work was set to trial the use of the wiki
and provide students with an introduction to writing group
reports.
Cary Bank Robbers - NC Wantedhttp://www.ncwanted.com/ncwanted_home/image/2457449/Screen clipping taken: 09/03/2011, 11:09
The formative work was
based on a website
image of a bank
robbery. Students were
asked to consider what
forensic evidence might
be present and how it
would be analysed.
Setting upSetting up the wiki pages was very easy and a screencast of how it was
done is available at: https://sciencewiki.staffs.ac.uk/How_To_Guide
For students to create their own pages, you need to make sure the
privacy option is set to ‘public’.
Student ViewTo see what the student view looks like when setting up a page then visit
the screencast at: https://sciencewiki.staffs.ac.uk/How_To_Guide
Students’ pages were left public for other students to see.
This screencast also shows how to insert images.
Benefits
The next few pages show some of the observed benefits of
using the wiki for a formative group work space.
Student communication
Sharing ideas
For formative work I like the
way that ideas spread
between groups as students
noted and adopted what they
saw as best practice.
Identifying input
Comparing
revisions easily
shows who did
what and the
levels of
engagement ...
Feedback
Summative WorkEventually, for the summative work, groups were given the
option of using the wiki as a collaborative workspace.
The final report was actually submitted via Turnitin and
students were advised to use Microsoft Word.
Benefits
The next few pages show some of the observed benefits of
using the wiki for a collaborative work space.
Organisation
Some groups used
the wiki pages very
effectively to
organise the group.
Report composition
Others compiled the whole report on the wiki.
File depository
Some groups used the wiki to
share files and photos.
Student Feedback
Good
“..proved beneficial in the structuring and communication of the work”
“The wiki page was a huge help and contact was made easier”
“The Wiki page was very useful and easy to use”
.. not so good
“When people don’t look at the page frequently, requests from other team mates won’t be met”
“.. social networking website was better as everyone can talk on one page whilst seeing what everyone else has done also.”
“communication via the Wiki page was effective but not immediate”
ConclusionI found the wiki to offer an effective collaborative workspace for students. Students found the wiki easy to use and it offers another alternative to face-to-face meetings, email and Facebook.
I would also use the wiki for future formative assignments with students performing self and peer-assessment.
Thank youIf you would like to know more, please contact me at
[email protected] or visit
http://sciencewiki.staffs.ac.uk