Shared online spaces and the minimum core: The WikiLit project

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Shared online spaces and the minimum core The
WikiLit project

• Steve Wheeler, Dawn Wheeler and Jackie Sitters
• Faculty of Education
• University of Plymouth

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In this presentation

• Introduction
• A wiki principle
• Wikis at UoP
• Wiki Activities
• What the students said...
• 5 Stage Model
• Questions?

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A wiki principle

• Wisdom of the crowd
• vs
• Stupidity of the mob

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215 PCET Students in 14 groups (generic,
military, prison service, partner colleges)
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Wiki Activities
All about me
Gold mining
In the News!
Establishing wikiquette
Barriers to learning
Key message
Whats in a Name?
Supporting students with learning difficulties
Mr Average
Your Starter for 10
Measuring up (Evaluation)
To err is human
Live Wiki Example ?
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What do you think are the key benefits of the
wiki?
Vast amount of people on the wiki sites that can
help you find that important information. (ML)
The main benefit is definitely the immediacy and
interactivity and the possibility of sharing and
solving problems with an online support group.
(FE)
It provides an interactive forum where questions
can be asked and answered both by students and
tutors. (ML)
The wiki has helped to develop new IT skills and
encourage the group to interact more. (PR)
The final thing I would like to say is the wiki
encourages others on our course to communicate to
each other and in a way that you wouldn't do in
email. (HE)
ML Military PR Prison FE Further Ed HE
Higher Ed
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What do you consider to be the main limitations
of the wiki?
No way of knowing if someone else is on the Wiki
other than checking the recent changes (PR)
. I find the Wiki too complicated it's easier to
just search on the internet to find what you want
and it's quicker. (PR)
waiting for a response. Not everyone logs on
regularly for various different reasons mostly
very valid ones. (ML)
I did struggle with the wiki initially e.g.
trying to set up links and setting up new pages
but I found with a bit of patience and
perseverance I was able to do it in the end.
Reading the instructions in the first place
helps!!! (HE)
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Any other comments?
The main problem I had was logging on, then
apparently erasing someones work accidently (not
proven). Since then I have learnt how to make
links, post messages, add pictures and make
better use of the web space information. (ML)
As a tool for meeting core elements of an
educational training course I see this as a
valuable tool. (PR)
If more people use (the) wiki then discussions
are likely to be posted more frequently. (ML)
I think the greatest benefit would be when we've
left the course and can't use the student portal,
it would be good to catch up with each other. (HE)
You are relying on everyone to use it regularly
to get the full benefit so users have to be
engaged with it in some way. (HE)
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Wiki activities 5 stages (Wheeler, 2007)
Exploration
Exhibition
Explanation
Elaboration
Evaluation
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Wiki activities 5 stages
Exploration
orientation, basic principles, making initial
contact
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Wiki activities 5 stages
Exhibition
show and tell, share ideas, post links to
resources
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Wiki activities 5 stages
Explanation
simple posting editing, informing and
describing
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Wiki activities 5 stages
Elaboration
collaboration in posting, dialogue and
complex edits
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Wiki activities 5 stages
Evaluation

assess value, accuracy significance of content
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Wiki activities 5 stages
Exploration
orientation, basic principles, making initial
contact
Deeper Cognitive Engagement
Exhibition
show and tell, share ideas, post links to
resources
Explanation
simple posting editing, informing and
describing
Elaboration
collaboration in posting, dialogue and
complex edits
Evaluation

assess value, accuracy significance of content
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Wiki activities 5 stages
Exploration
Technical/Practical
Exhibition
Explanation
Elaboration
Evaluation
Academic
Social
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Any Questions?

• swheeler_at_plymouth.ac.uk
• http//steve-wheeler.blogspot.com
• University e-Learning Website
• www2.plymouth.ac.uk/distancelearning