Breaking Down Barriers & Celebrating Diversity: Hazel Owen and Clayton Young A Collaborative Intercultural Wiki- based Writing Project

Overview of Presentation College Prep Programs: Purposes Writing in a tertiary environment ICT: enhancing learning? Wiki-based writing project Educational setting Experiences / Future Recommendations Conclusion / Questions

College Prep Programs: Purposes

Writing in a tertiary environment

ICT: enhancing learning?

Wiki-based writing project

Educational setting

Experiences / Future Recommendations

Conclusion / Questions

Academic skills (e.g. researching and organizing) Higher order L2 skills Cognitive & reasoning skills Information Communication Technology & collaborative skills Preparatory tertiary education programs

Research and Study Skills Assimilation of ideas Communication of ideas Academic writing conventions WRITING

Does ICT work? ICT / technology enhanced learning Blended learning “… knowledge is viewed as a social construct, facilitated by peer interaction, evaluation and cooperation” (Hiltz, 1998) Achievement of goals

ICT / technology enhanced learning

Blended learning

“… knowledge is viewed as a social construct, facilitated by peer interaction, evaluation and cooperation”

(Hiltz, 1998)

Achievement of goals

Use the tool that best fits your purpose Email - asynchronous communication MSN chat - synchronous communication Blog - journal/reflection WebKF - threaded discussions Wiki - collaboration

Email - asynchronous communication

MSN chat - synchronous communication

Blog - journal/reflection

WebKF - threaded discussions

Wiki - collaboration

A famous Wiki

The PB Wiki environment Not software Don’t download it; it is set up on the PB Wiki server Owner has the ability to control the environment

Not software

Don’t download it; it is set up on the PB Wiki server

Owner has the ability to control the environment

The PB Wiki environment Asynchronous multi user collaboration Basic Features 10 MB storage Limited backup features Limited wallpaper selection

Asynchronous multi user collaboration

Basic Features

10 MB storage

Limited backup features

Limited wallpaper selection

The PB Wiki environment

The PB Wiki environment

The PB Wiki environment

The PB Wiki environment

The PB Wiki environment

The PB Wiki environment

The PB Wiki environment History feature

History feature

The PB Wiki environment The history feature: Comparing history ‘versions’

The history feature:

Comparing history ‘versions’

Background to research project Cross-cultural communication Opportunity for learners to use contemporary communication tool Enhancement of writing proficiency “… democratic, respectful, open to challenges…” (Wegerif, 1998, p.15). Data collection tools

Cross-cultural communication

Opportunity for learners to use contemporary communication tool

Enhancement of writing proficiency

“… democratic, respectful, open to challenges…” (Wegerif, 1998, p.15).

Data collection tools

Hypothesis The medium of the asynchronous Internet based collaborative environment (wikis), because of its semi-public nature, will facilitate greater attention to academic writing processes and conventions, while also motivating learners’ general interest in writing and awareness of the world.

The medium of the asynchronous Internet based collaborative environment (wikis), because of its semi-public nature, will facilitate greater attention to academic writing processes and conventions, while also motivating learners’ general interest in writing and awareness of the world.

Awareness register genre purpose Mechanics grammar syntax revision/editing semantics vocabulary Structure & Organization summarizing / paraphrasing arguing applying support synthesizing describing Referencing & Avoiding Plagiarism search selection techniques conventions ethics Academic Writing Conventions

The UAE Educational Setting Dubai Men’s College (DMC) Students Educational background Expectations & experience Intermediate level

Dubai Men’s College (DMC)

Students

Educational background

Expectations & experience

Intermediate level

The Canadian Educational Setting University of Toronto English Language Program International Students Educational background Expectations & experience Upper Intermediate level

University of Toronto

English Language Program

International Students

Educational background

Expectations & experience

Upper Intermediate level

Wiki-based Writing Project

Wiki-based Writing Project

Wiki-based Writing Project

Wiki-based Writing Project

Teacher Feedback Terry Most of the Toronto students were initially thrilled that they would have a chance to “meet” someone from Dubai: many were not sure where it was and … none knew anything about the culture. The students are so enthusiastic and taking this so seriously that several decided that their profiles weren't good enough: they are revamping them and we'll get them posted over the next 2 days. Students thought it fantastic that a WIKI had been tailor-made to meet their unique purposes, and I emphasized that their participation will … provide much-needed practice in editing their own and others' work …: there's nothing like an audience.

Terry

Most of the Toronto students were initially thrilled that they would have a chance to “meet” someone from Dubai: many were not sure where it was and … none knew anything about the culture.

The students are so enthusiastic and taking this so seriously that several decided that their profiles weren't good enough: they are revamping them and we'll get them posted over the next 2 days.

Students thought it fantastic that a WIKI had been tailor-made to meet their unique purposes, and I emphasized that their participation will … provide much-needed practice in editing their own and others' work …: there's nothing like an audience.

Teacher Feedback Clayton Wow, what a hectic two days it has been … the best part is that the students remained focused on task and helpful throughout. They are really taking to this environment. Initial feedback from class was overwhelmingly positive: Students liked: the opportunity to make use of their new computers in an authentic online environment the opportunity to interact with students from other countries These fellows quickly saw the benefit to their writing and to enhancing their cultural awareness of other peoples in other lands

Clayton

Wow, what a hectic two days it has been … the best part is that the students remained focused on task and helpful throughout. They are really taking to this environment.

Initial feedback from class was overwhelmingly positive:

Students liked:

the opportunity to make use of their new computers in an authentic online environment

the opportunity to interact with students from other countries

These fellows quickly saw the benefit to their writing and to enhancing their cultural awareness of other peoples in other lands

Teacher Recommendations Terry no one reads instructions ... [therefore] … we need to make much more effort next time to review … [instructions] with students ... and not just say 'the instructions are here, read them for homework’ Students need to be reminded of where to find things and to use the Side Bar. Many initially perceived the platform as confusing and unfriendly.

Terry

no one reads instructions ... [therefore] … we need to make much more effort next time to review … [instructions] with students ... and not just say 'the instructions are here, read them for homework’

Students need to be reminded of where to find things and to use the Side Bar. Many initially perceived the platform as confusing and unfriendly.

Teacher Recommendations Clayton … we tried to do too much in the time we allotted. Both students and teachers need time to get their head into this online platform ... and to feel comfortable. … we should have spent more time up front familiarizing students with the Wiki and allowing time for students to get to know one another online. 'Buy-in' by all concerned can only be fostered through this break in process.

Clayton

… we tried to do too much in the time we allotted. Both students and teachers need time to get their head into this online platform ... and to feel comfortable.

… we should have spent more time up front familiarizing students with the Wiki and allowing time for students to get to know one another online. 'Buy-in' by all concerned can only be fostered through this break in process.

Student Feedback DMC cross cultural awareness: … and it's a really good experience to meet people from other countries and different cultures. interaction preference: … having a partner to work with makes it nicer when we have a hard time finding some information because the partner can give us some idea. tools: … the Wiki website was really useful for me, and I like the idea of being able to control your own page.

DMC

cross cultural awareness: … and it's a really good experience to meet people from other countries and different cultures.

interaction preference: … having a partner to work with makes it nicer when we have a hard time finding some information because the partner can give us some idea.

tools: … the Wiki website was really useful for me, and I like the idea of being able to control your own page.

Student Feedback UT Recognition skills / purpose: … having done this research, I have learned many skills about researches that will assist me … in my academic journey at the university. Purpose / interaction preferences: … this project is useful … as it give me a chance to practice cooperating …; cooperation will act a very important part in my studying or working life.

UT

Recognition skills / purpose: … having done this research, I have learned many skills about researches that will assist me … in my academic journey at the university.

Purpose / interaction preferences: … this project is useful … as it give me a chance to practice cooperating …; cooperation will act a very important part in my studying or working life.

Student Recommendations UT inter-group communication / TM: ... make mandatory communication times or deadlines when we have to talk. scaffolding / instructions: Teachers should set time limit for each step so that each partner will answer same amount of questions. time management : To make it better, we should decide the partners who don't have a big different time.

UT

inter-group communication / TM: ... make mandatory communication times or deadlines when we have to talk.

scaffolding / instructions: Teachers should set time limit for each step so that each partner will answer same amount of questions.

time management : To make it better, we should decide the partners who don't have a big different time.

Student Recommendations DMC appearance / tools: run the Wiki project again, but … [in]form the administrator … to add some pictures or some flash or even new look for the website so the student get more interset time management: … I wanted … [the teacher] to slow down and give me more time to add my research.

DMC

appearance / tools: run the Wiki project again, but … [in]form the administrator … to add some pictures or some flash or even new look for the website so the student get more interset

time management: … I wanted … [the teacher] to slow down and give me more time to add my research.

Results / Experiences Promotes global awareness Encourages writing productivity Accuracy focus promoted/self-reflection Intercultural communication encouraged, but some misunderstandings Enhances writing proficiency?

Promotes global awareness

Encourages writing productivity

Accuracy focus promoted/self-reflection

Intercultural communication encouraged, but some misunderstandings

Enhances writing proficiency?

Results / Experiences Student interest initially high Subsequent motivation not guaranteed Disparate proficiency levels problematic MSN feature underused

Student interest initially high

Subsequent motivation not guaranteed

Disparate proficiency levels problematic

MSN feature underused

Implications / Recommendations Prior focus on intercultural communication ‘ Icebreaker’ phase indispensable Extensive initial student scaffolding Peer editing / feedback Prior teacher familiarity with tech important Further teacher collaboration proj design Teachers / facilitators must retain a presence - motivation & momentum

Prior focus on intercultural communication

‘ Icebreaker’ phase indispensable

Extensive initial student scaffolding

Peer editing / feedback

Prior teacher familiarity with tech important

Further teacher collaboration proj design

Teachers / facilitators must retain a presence - motivation & momentum

Conclusion Research ongoing Writing proficiency? Authentic cross-cultural collaboration / stimulating The process not the technology

Research ongoing

Writing proficiency?

Authentic cross-cultural collaboration / stimulating

The process not the technology

Thank you for listening hazel. owen @clear.net. nz clayton .young@ hct .ac. ae (reference list is attached to the back of your handout) Are there any questions?

hazel. owen @clear.net. nz

clayton .young@ hct .ac. ae

(reference list is attached to the back of your handout)

Are there any questions?