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Enabling engagement: Enabling engagement: collaborative and supportive collaborative and supportive learning using a wiki learning using a wiki Paul Jinks Paul Jinks Jan Owens Jan Owens School of Clinical Dentistr School of Clinical Dentistry

Enabling Engagement: Collaborative and Supportive Learning using a Wiki

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Case study of assessed wiki activity for DL Masters students in Health. Highlighted are the use of a journal for reflective learning and students' perceptions of the activity.

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Page 1: Enabling Engagement: Collaborative and Supportive Learning using a Wiki

Enabling engagement: Enabling engagement: collaborative and supportive collaborative and supportive

learning using a wikilearning using a wiki

Paul JinksPaul JinksJan OwensJan Owens

School of Clinical DentistrSchool of Clinical Dentistry

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The course and learnersThe course and learners

• Health promotionHealth promotion• First wholly online run of an existing face to face First wholly online run of an existing face to face

modulemodule• All assessment methods had been used in face to All assessment methods had been used in face to

face courseface course

• 27 students27 students• Learners in different locations, with different Learners in different locations, with different

professional and cultural backgroundsprofessional and cultural backgrounds

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Studying onlineStudying online

Problems:Problems:• IsolationIsolation• Lack of sense of communityLack of sense of community• BoredomBoredom• Time managementTime management• Understanding the course design and activitiesUnderstanding the course design and activities• Technical abilityTechnical ability

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What is a wiki?What is a wiki?

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Wikis for educationWikis for education

• Provide a tool for Inquiry Based LearningProvide a tool for Inquiry Based Learning• Learning based around collaboration and Learning based around collaboration and

communicationcommunication• Overcome isolation through group workOvercome isolation through group work• Produce artifacts of real use and relevanceProduce artifacts of real use and relevance• Make good use of the online environmentMake good use of the online environment• Develop digital skillsDevelop digital skills

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Why wikis for Health Promotion?Why wikis for Health Promotion?

Appropriate to the domain and topic area:Appropriate to the domain and topic area:• Health Promotion practitioners likely to work in Health Promotion practitioners likely to work in

geographically distributed groupsgeographically distributed groups• Produce reports on particular health issues for Produce reports on particular health issues for

particular contextsparticular contexts• Develops skills that can be transferred into real life Develops skills that can be transferred into real life

situations; collaborative/team working, critical situations; collaborative/team working, critical thinking, awareness of and respect for diversity thinking, awareness of and respect for diversity

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Assessing the wikiAssessing the wiki

• Wiki was a substantial piece of work, spanning most of Wiki was a substantial piece of work, spanning most of the semester, should be assessed. the semester, should be assessed.

• Group assessment problematic: unequal contributionsGroup assessment problematic: unequal contributions• Monitored contributions using MOLE wiki tool. Monitored contributions using MOLE wiki tool.

Students were informedStudents were informed• Reflective Journal enabled students to develop Reflective Journal enabled students to develop

metacognitive reflection and evidence contributionsmetacognitive reflection and evidence contributions• Clear rubric was provided Clear rubric was provided

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Assessment rubric

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Instructions for studentsInstructions for students

• The activity was signposted in the online timetable The activity was signposted in the online timetable and the handbookand the handbook

• Students randomly allocated to groups of 5-6 Students randomly allocated to groups of 5-6 • Each group given a wiki and discussion boardEach group given a wiki and discussion board• Students encouraged to discuss and organise the Students encouraged to discuss and organise the

task, and exchange emailstask, and exchange emails

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InstructionsInstructions

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Guidance on group workGuidance on group work

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Guidance on using the WikiGuidance on using the Wiki

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What happened initiallyWhat happened initially

• Some groups spent a long time choosing a Some groups spent a long time choosing a country and health problem country and health problem

• Others discussed how to go about the Others discussed how to go about the task, dividing it up, timetabling, file-task, dividing it up, timetabling, file-sharing... sharing...

• Most groups did very little work on the Most groups did very little work on the actual wiki in the first few weeks actual wiki in the first few weeks

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Talking about the task

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MilestonesMilestones

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The WikisThe Wikis

• Formative feedback given in wiki comments on Formative feedback given in wiki comments on the pagethe page

• Completed on time Completed on time • To a higher standard generally than on the face to To a higher standard generally than on the face to

face course face course • Appropriate word count Appropriate word count • Discussions continued within the wiki for some Discussions continued within the wiki for some

groups (one averaged 4.5 comments per page)groups (one averaged 4.5 comments per page)

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Technical ProblemsTechnical Problems

Students had technical problems with the Students had technical problems with the wikis:wikis:

• Reordering pagesReordering pages• Deleting pagesDeleting pages• Formatting pages Formatting pages

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The Journals: Starting commentsThe Journals: Starting comments

• ““Until the scope of the joint Wiki work is outlined I'll be feeling a bit of Until the scope of the joint Wiki work is outlined I'll be feeling a bit of trepidation about this: like most people I work better when I know what I'm trepidation about this: like most people I work better when I know what I'm up against. Likewise there are a number of uncertainties around the up against. Likewise there are a number of uncertainties around the prospect of joint online working. I have used net-based Wiki-type working prospect of joint online working. I have used net-based Wiki-type working before a little, I am more familiar with collaboration via email and face-to-before a little, I am more familiar with collaboration via email and face-to-face. I suspect once we're under way I'll be too busy to concern myself with face. I suspect once we're under way I'll be too busy to concern myself with my initial trepidation.”my initial trepidation.”

• ““This is my first time using WiKi and it is a bit challenging to navigate, it is This is my first time using WiKi and it is a bit challenging to navigate, it is only now that I figured out where to do the journal entry. I have introduced only now that I figured out where to do the journal entry. I have introduced myself on group discussion board and everyone seem very eager and myself on group discussion board and everyone seem very eager and pumped to complete this challenge. We have chosen a team captain and a pumped to complete this challenge. We have chosen a team captain and a deadline of May 31 for us to complete our assignment and take some time deadline of May 31 for us to complete our assignment and take some time before submitting it. I have suggested we have weekly Skype calls first to before submitting it. I have suggested we have weekly Skype calls first to assign sections to each member and then keep each other updated and assign sections to each member and then keep each other updated and moving on our parts.”moving on our parts.”

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The Journals: Mid-way commentsThe Journals: Mid-way comments

• “ “ Today we are all to post in our drop box account what we each plan to do. The Today we are all to post in our drop box account what we each plan to do. The following is my suggested contribution. I have asked for their feedback as to whether following is my suggested contribution. I have asked for their feedback as to whether or not I need to expand on this. The plan is to be skyping this weekend or Monday at or not I need to expand on this. The plan is to be skyping this weekend or Monday at the latest. ”the latest. ”

• ““This week we uploaded our wiki pages for group review and editing. I created the This week we uploaded our wiki pages for group review and editing. I created the page on WHO standards and health promotion in X. I also uploaded a bunch of facts page on WHO standards and health promotion in X. I also uploaded a bunch of facts about X which I wanted to use for something, or a facts page. Since we are creating about X which I wanted to use for something, or a facts page. Since we are creating an intro page I think I will use these facts on the intro page. The group is an intro page I think I will use these facts on the intro page. The group is communicating well, our next goal is to have everything up and edited by Friday. I communicating well, our next goal is to have everything up and edited by Friday. I think we are all working hard on this project…”think we are all working hard on this project…”

• ““It is so overwhelming to learn of new emerging thoughts with regard to the concept It is so overwhelming to learn of new emerging thoughts with regard to the concept of sexual health in XY. After a tremendous survey of the journal articles it is of sexual health in XY. After a tremendous survey of the journal articles it is interesting to learn of new issues regarding sexual health. I am really liking the wiki so interesting to learn of new issues regarding sexual health. I am really liking the wiki so far, I  am just worried with my inconsistence, I don’t seem to find potential time to far, I  am just worried with my inconsistence, I don’t seem to find potential time to read much of the journal articles , nevertheless I am improving day by day. I used to read much of the journal articles , nevertheless I am improving day by day. I used to think of group work as boring but my mind set is gradually changing and it is think of group work as boring but my mind set is gradually changing and it is becoming more interesting.”becoming more interesting.”

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The Journals: End commentsThe Journals: End comments• ““Overall this has been a difficult exercise: it’s a challenge in itself, and is made Overall this has been a difficult exercise: it’s a challenge in itself, and is made

more complex by the at-a-distance communication. I feel that we could have more complex by the at-a-distance communication. I feel that we could have gone further in adopting a more critical approach.”gone further in adopting a more critical approach.”

• ““The whole experience has made a difference in how I read documents. It is no The whole experience has made a difference in how I read documents. It is no longer just about reading but also questioning what has been written and trying longer just about reading but also questioning what has been written and trying to find other points before making a judgement. The group experience has to find other points before making a judgement. The group experience has been good as it has been challenging.”been good as it has been challenging.”

• ““The wiki itself is something I have never done before. I was nervous at first, The wiki itself is something I have never done before. I was nervous at first, but it really worked out nicely. Each member had their own page and we could but it really worked out nicely. Each member had their own page and we could see all the work each other was completing. This was much easier then trying see all the work each other was completing. This was much easier then trying to write one paper together as I have done in the past. The wiki allows us room to write one paper together as I have done in the past. The wiki allows us room to be creative, and present information on different pages. I enjoy the online to be creative, and present information on different pages. I enjoy the online aspect of the group work quite a bit.” aspect of the group work quite a bit.” 

• ““Its been a long journey, and we have finally finished our task. It is Its been a long journey, and we have finally finished our task. It is overwhelming to note the beauty of working in a group. I never realised groups overwhelming to note the beauty of working in a group. I never realised groups could be that helpful.”could be that helpful.”

• ““I have enjoyed the experience and learnt a lot. Most importantly I have learnt I have enjoyed the experience and learnt a lot. Most importantly I have learnt that you can work as a team with three strangers from three continents that that you can work as a team with three strangers from three continents that you will not meet and pull off a good piece of work.”you will not meet and pull off a good piece of work.”

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Student evaluationStudent evaluation

Evaluation on the module was positive. Evaluation on the module was positive. Comments relating to the wiki on standard feedback Comments relating to the wiki on standard feedback form:form:

• ““Collaboration on the wiki was not perfect, at least not for Collaboration on the wiki was not perfect, at least not for my own group”my own group”

• ““There should be a brief video introduction to wikis and There should be a brief video introduction to wikis and how students can collaborate well to produce very good how students can collaborate well to produce very good wiki works”wiki works”

• ““I disliked the group-work as it wasn't very cohesive”I disliked the group-work as it wasn't very cohesive”• ““The more we interact the more we learn and understand The more we interact the more we learn and understand

many issues”many issues”• ““The module was incredibly thought provoking and really The module was incredibly thought provoking and really

goes beyond your typical health promotion courses”goes beyond your typical health promotion courses”17/01/14 © The University of Sheffield

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Next timeNext time• Put students into groups earlier Put students into groups earlier

• allow students more time to get to know each allow students more time to get to know each other; give them some ‘warm up’ exercisesother; give them some ‘warm up’ exercises

• become familiar with the tools and environments become familiar with the tools and environments • Use Google Docs or Google Sites. Use Google Docs or Google Sites. • Suggest milestones for the activity from the outset to Suggest milestones for the activity from the outset to

give students an idea of where they should be give students an idea of where they should be • Have a video tutorial on approaching the task Have a video tutorial on approaching the task

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ReadingReading

Conole, G., & Alevizou, P. (2010). A literature review of the use of Web Conole, G., & Alevizou, P. (2010). A literature review of the use of Web 2.0 tools in Higher Education. Open University.2.0 tools in Higher Education. Open University.Anderson, T. (2008). The Theory and Practice of Online Learning. Anderson, T. (2008). The Theory and Practice of Online Learning. Athabasca University Press.Athabasca University Press.Capdeferro, N., & Romero, M. (2012). Are Online Learners Frustrated Capdeferro, N., & Romero, M. (2012). Are Online Learners Frustrated with Collaborative Learning Experiences? International Review of with Collaborative Learning Experiences? International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 13(2), 1–19.Research in Open and Distance Learning, 13(2), 1–19.Cole, M. (2009). Using Wiki technology to support student engagement: Cole, M. (2009). Using Wiki technology to support student engagement: Lessons from the trenches. Computers & Education, 52(1), 141–146. Lessons from the trenches. Computers & Education, 52(1), 141–146. doi:10.1016/j.compedu.2008.07.003doi:10.1016/j.compedu.2008.07.003Elgort, I., Smith, A., & Toland, J. (2008). Is wiki an effective platform for Elgort, I., Smith, A., & Toland, J. (2008). Is wiki an effective platform for group course work. Australasian Journal of Educational …, 24(2), 1–19. group course work. Australasian Journal of Educational …, 24(2), 1–19. Retrieved from http://ascilite.org.au/ajet/ajet24/elgort.htmlRetrieved from http://ascilite.org.au/ajet/ajet24/elgort.htmlLaru, J., Näykki, P., & Järvelä, S. (2012). Supporting small-group learning Laru, J., Näykki, P., & Järvelä, S. (2012). Supporting small-group learning using multiple Web 2.0 tools: A case study in the higher education using multiple Web 2.0 tools: A case study in the higher education context. The Internet and Higher Education, 15(1), 29–38. context. The Internet and Higher Education, 15(1), 29–38. doi:10.1016/j.iheduc.2011.08.004doi:10.1016/j.iheduc.2011.08.004

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