Reflection on the use of a Wiki

I have not had feedback from students about the implementation of this tool as it is something that I wish to implement in the second semester. Due to the timing of this course, many of the students were in the last week of classes.

To begin, before embarking on the task of deciding which tool to use, I gathered some information from the previous year's course evaluation. Their comments included "more group-work" and "we like the online stuff". As part of their evaluation, they are required to write a report (which I've highlighted in the previous reflection) and I thought that it would be a novel idea to convert that assignment into either a digital story, an e-portfolio or a blog.

I believed that this would meet my objectives (apart from the learning outcomes) which are to;

Increase collaboration between students;

Improve student engagement

Increase student self confidence

These were the 'problems' I thought that I would be able to solve through the use of a Wiki as an emerging technology tool.

After presenting these ideas (and investing lots of thinking time into it), it became alarmingly clear that both of these tools would really not address ANY of my objectives, this not even taking into consideration the learning outcomes that this task affords. This was because the digital story did not allow for collaboration and feedback if they were not going to share their stories with their colleagues. This was the same for the e-portfolio. A blog would not work because it allows for individual posting and other students would only be allowed to comment.

So, this has brought me back to the drawing board in deliberating which tool to use. I chose to use a Wiki because it will allow me to meet all the objectives while creating a knowledge suppository as well.

The evaluation for this would include;

1. A rubric that the course evaluator will use to mark the Wiki. This will be given to students beforehand.
2. In pairs, students will be given a peer assessment Rubric so that they can evaluate each others work
3.  Each student will get feedback on their Wiki from at least 3 peers (different to the peer assessment pairs)

The underlying theoretical underpinnings for my selection of a Wiki is based on Social Learning Theory and Constructivism (Learning) Theory. These are highlighted in more detail in my presentation which will be made available on Slideshare.

Constructivism learning theory will be used to explain how students construct new knowledge and ideas with the use of a wiki which is based on a particular module and social learning theory will explain how students learn from one another while constructing the wiki. This can be done though observation and modelling whilst engaging with the content. 

Since this could be seen as an authentic learning activity, it was also suggested that the Wiki be made more public (i.e on another website) since it is profiling real athletes. I will take this into consideration.

Thank you for reading and once again, thank you for the learning opportunity. I feel strongly that the Wiki will indeed be the best way to meet all the objectives of this course- including the learning outcomes. Based on feedback from colleagues, this would also be one of the ways to effectively address the learning outcomes and that if it is structured well enough, it would work.