Scaling up wiki-based blended learning environment

Abstract

Since their introduction in the mid nineties, the use of wikis in education has been extensively studied (Bruns & Humphreys, 2007; Forte & Bruckman, 2007; Mindel & Verma 2006; Richardson 2006), debated and documented (see examples of educational wikis and related discussions at Atlassian, c2, Wikispaces, and Wetpaint websites). More and more higher education institutions are experimenting with wikis, aiming at increasing students’ engagement and communications and leveraging on “collective intelligence” in curriculum design and delivery. The research presented in this paper extends the work already piloted on using wikis as a framework for blended learning (Cubric, 2007). The focus in the original work was how to “plan, shape & enforce” wiki learning activities (Lund and Smørdal, 2006).The main outcome was a definition and evaluation of a blended learning process supported by wikis.