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

a.r.davidson@staffs.ac.uk or visit

http://sciencewiki.staffs.ac.uk