Academic Coffee Session (ACS)25 July 2009, Murdoch UniversityMyPSAWAWiki Pedagogy: Changing The Education LandscapePresented By: Norhisham MohamadNordinUniversity of Western AustraliaEmail: norhishamn@gmail.com

Content outlineIntroductionTheoretical frameworkResearch questionsStudy settingResearch method ResultsDiscussionConclusionReflecting on PhD JourneyQuestions and Answers

Current Classroom Scenario “Imagine in a classroom where what you learn only comes directly from your teacher. You don’t have any textbook to refer to, merely your teacher’s presentation slides where you have stared blankly from the LCD projector. You can’t ask question or give opinion, but only to listen. The excitement is because your are having your class in a computer lab. Sadly, you cant’ even turn on the computer. You have so many questions to ask but do not know who to turn to. Your classmates have lost interest in the teaching. They are playing games with their mobile phone. Your teacher reminded you that what she taught today will be in the coming mid term exam and you don’t have any clues what she is talking about for the entire 75 minutes of class time!”Question:Does this sound like an exciting and fun classroom learning ?

Imagine otherwise…You create your own learning, share with friends, use Internet and other online application to help you learn, 24/7“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 wikiWikipedia.orgA 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 TheoryStudy based on 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 TheorySocial 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 approaches will be on:project based learning, inquiry based learning and problem based learning

Research questionsMain 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 setting16 year old students in Malaysian schoolsTaking Information Communication & Technology (ICT) courses of 6 modulesWikis used in 2 modules:ICT and SocietyMultimedia

Study settingN=169 Students – 74 Male and 95 Female11 schools – 6 Smart Schools , 5 normal schoolsMix of urban, rural settingsAssumption:Student taking ICT courses are IT literateTeachers integrate Internet into teaching and learning

Research methodologyDesign based research in educationDesign Based Research - (DBR, Brown, 1992; Collins, 1992) is the study of learning through: systematic design instructional strategies and toolsDBR shapes real learning environments through educational interventionsIn this study: Design pedagogy activities using wiki

Research methodologyInitial Design StudyDesign 1Design 2Design 3Design 4EvaluationIterative ProcessTesting/ Measuring the resultFinalize Design StudyRe-design Study After Interview With TeachersRe-design Study After Introduction To Wiki

Research methodologyQuantitative – 5 Likert scales questionnaireQualitativeStudent Group Interview – Semi structuredTeacher Individual - Semi Structured Interview

ResultsActivity 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:Proportion groups member between 4-5 for effective learningIncorporate real life (scenario) in learning designImplement introductory wiki coursesEncourage wiki editing culture

DiscussionWiki study is an eye opener for teacher to fully utilized Internet, specifically Web 2.0 tools in their classroomActivities in wiki need to be design according to pedagogyComplement traditional class learning and enhance student understandingHigh group participation in active learningMutual benefit among group as knowledge is sharedSelf directed learning – set pace of learningAcquiring new learning not covered in class

ConclusionClear evidence in the study that wiki can be used as a tools to support collaborative learning and knowledge sharing in schoolsWiki pedagogy used in teaching & learning:design learning around the education syllabusempowering knowledge to studentsmore knowledge shared, more learning donebuild trust, helping each, mutual understanding among studentsteachers facilitates learning, students drives learningWeb 2.0 integrate in classroom

Reflecting On PhD JourneyStarted in 2006:1st half : Reading and collecting journals, Research method class, prepare Research Proposal2nd half : Design InstrumentsData Collection in 2007:1st half : Pre-study – letter to relevant government bodies, schools, teachers2nd half : Begin study – approximate 4 months, reconciliation of data after studyAnalyzing Data in 2008 :1st half : Ch. 3 & Ch. 42nd half : Ch. 5 & Ch. 6Completing Thesis in 2009 :Completing Ch. 1 & Ch. 2Synchronizing the thesis flowAttends conference and opportunities for future research

1st half : Reading and collecting journals, Research method class, prepare Research Proposal

2nd half : Design Instruments

1st half : Pre-study – letter to relevant government bodies, schools, teachers

2nd half : Begin study – approximate 4 months, reconciliation of data after study

1st half : Ch. 3 & Ch. 4

2nd half : Ch. 5 & Ch. 6

Completing Ch. 1 & Ch. 2

Synchronizing the thesis flow

Attends conference and opportunities for future research

Reflecting On PhD Journey Be firm on your believes Know your study Acknowledge supervisor insightful view Start writing early on Organize well – study, family & friends Remember – PhD is the beginning, not the end Full Submission to The Creator

Thank you Question and Answer Sessionnorhishamn@gmail.com