aw1l 2.2 Methodology

Methodology

In the experience reported here, Wiki methodology was tested compared to traditional methodology (see below). A Wiki (Cunningham, 1998), in brief, is a simple tool that allows writing documents in web pages, easily editable by anyone of the group just with a simple web browser, plus it keeps a history of versions from the document, and it allows easy markup and access control. Wikis have been introduced in teaching and learning scenarios fairly recently (Schneider 2004, Prendes 2006).

Big and small groups of pupils have been used, in subjects of 1st and 2nd cycle, of several university degrees, and with several types of collaborative writing assignments or works (Table 1). In total, they have participated in the experience (in either way) more than 230 pupils, 10 teachers, 10 subjects among the first and second period of four months of the year and among the 5 different university degrees being implied, of two universities and an ascribed centre.

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Opinion from lecturers was collected through meetings in person, and opinions from students was collected through individual surveys, which included closed questions (answers ranging from 1 to 5) and empty spaces every several questions to allow extra comments. Students had to hand in the answered surveys to their teachers at the end of the term inside a closed envelope labeled with their name on it, and they were not opened until the grading of the group work was completely finished.