Wiki Impact On Socializing Learning: Designing Collaborative Learning Approach In Schools

Presented By: Norhisham Mohamad Nordin

University of Western Australia

Email: norhishamn@gmail.com

Content outline

• Introduction• Theoretical framework• Research questions• Study setting• Research method • Results• Discussion• Conclusion• Questions and Answers

Current Classroom Scenario

“Imagine a classroom where what you learn comes only from your teacher. Your only reference is your textbook. You can’t ask and give opinion, but only to listen. You have so many questions to ask but do not know who to turn to. Your classmate are in the same boat as you are. You exam is based entire on what you remember what your teacher taught in class!”

Question:Does this sound like an exciting and fun learning?

Imagine otherwise…

• You create your own learning, share with friends, use Internet and other online application to help you learn, 24/7 a week

• “Imagine a world in which every single person on the planet is given free access to the sum of all human knowledge. That’s what we’re doing”

--Jimmy Wales,

Wikipedia founder (Wales, 2004)

Introduction :

Definition of wiki• Wikipedia.org

A wiki is a website that uses wiki software, allowing the easy creation and editing of any number of interlinked Web pages, using a simplified markup language or a WYSIWYG text editor, within the browser.

• Klobas (2006)  “the software [that] enables people both to read and edit the content of the site, while the site that readers see has been produced by multiple authors interacting with the software”

Theoretical Framework:

Social Constructivist Theory• Study based social constructivist theory by Vygotsky

(1978)– language and culture play essential roles both in human

intellectual development and in how humans perceive the world.

– human cognitive structure is essentially socially constructed. Knowledge is not simply constructed but it is co-constructed.

– The social construction of knowledge through learning is therefore a collaborative process.

Theoretical Framework:

Activity Theory• Social constructivist theory is often explained in relation

to activity based learning theory or activity theory for short .

• The expansion of Vygotsky’s ideas was developed largely under the activity theory banner.

• Activity theory supports several pedagogy approaches• In this study, the focus will be on:

– project based learning, – inquiry based learning and – problem based learning

Research questions

Main theme question for the study: “How can wikis effectively support computer supported collaborative learning and knowledge sharing in schools?”

Specifically, the study addresses two sub-questions:1. What learning approaches are appropriate for

online collaborative learning using wikis in school?2. What are the key factors that contribute to

effective use of wikis in school?

Study setting

• 16 year old students in Malaysian schools• Taking Information Communication &

Technology (ICT) courses of 6 modules• Wikis used in 2 modules:

– ICT and Society– Multimedia

Study setting

• N=169 Students – 74 Male and 95 Female• 11 schools – 6 Smart Schools , 5 normal

schools• Mix of urban, rural settings• Assumption:

– Student taking ICT courses are IT literate– Teachers integrate Internet into teaching

and learning

Research methodology

• Design based research in education• Design Based Research - (DBR, Brown, 1992;

Collins, 1992) is the study of learning through: – systematic design – instructional strategies and tools

• DBR shapes real learning environments through educational interventions

• In this study: Design pedagogy activities using wiki

Research methodology

Design 1

Initial Design Study

Design 2

Design 3

Design 4 Re-design Study After Interview With Teachers

Re-design Study After Introduction

To Wiki

Finalize Design Study

Iterative Process

Evaluation

Testing/ Measuring the result

Research methodology

• Quantitative – 5 Likert scales questionnaire• Qualitative

– Student Group Interview – Semi structured– Teacher Individual - Semi Structured Interview

Results• Activity completion rates :

– 100% in Ice Breaking Session (IBS)– 87% Completed Task 1 (Inquiry based learning pedagogical

approach )– 62% Completed Task 2 (Problem based learning pedagogical

approach )– 25% Completed Task 3 (Project based learning pedagogical

approach )• Factors contributing to success of the designed activities using wikis:

– Wiki enhance F2F group learning– Incorporate real life (scenario) in learning design– Implement introductory wiki courses– Encourage wiki editing culture

Discussion

• Wiki study is an eye opener for teacher to fully utilized Internet, specifically Web 2.0 tools in their classroom

• Activities in wiki need to be design according to pedagogy

• Complement traditional class learning and enhance student understanding

• High group participation in active learning• Mutual benefit among group as knowledge is shared• Self directed learning – set pace of learning• Acquiring new learning not covered in class

Conclusion

• Clear evidence in the study that wiki be used as a tools to support collaborative learning and knowledge sharing in schools

• Wiki as a social learning software:– empowering knowledge to students– build trust, helping each, mutual understanding– teachers facilitates learning, students drives

learning– Web 2.0 integrate in classroom

Thank you

Question and Answer Session

norhishamn@gmail.com