Creating a classroom resource using Wikis
Creating a classroom resource using Wikis
Vital Stats
Who: Jeremy Wakeford
Where: Economics Department, UCT
What: Wikis and blogs in the History of Economic thought
Why: To encourage students to write collaboratively in order to create a common resource for the class.
The History of Economic Thought is a third year Economics course taught for the first time in 2006. For Jeremy Wakeford this was the first time he had convened a relatively large (118 students) undergraduate course (previously only post graduate teaching). It was also his first time using an online learning environment; in this case that environment was Vula. He was motivated to improve the quality of teaching and learning and inspire students who are increasingly familiar with web technology. He also wanted to be innovative.
He used a number of the features available on Vula. The more standard course management tools as well as introducing wikis and blogs to the students. Wikis were used with the aim of demonstrating the value of collaborative learning, forming a collective resource for exams and equipping students with simple web skills. He disigned an assessment task which required students to contribute to a wiki on the development of economic thought from pre-classical economic thpught to hterodox schools of thought. Pairs of students contributed information on a particular theorists. Thus creating a collective resource available to the entire class.
Overall student reaction and feedback to Vula and the wiki essay exercise were positive; “…Vula is refreshing and exciting…” and “…wiki’s good for learning experience…”. For Jeremy, Vula enabled rapid communication with students, novel learning tools and a feeling of control. At the end of a presentation on this experience he said; “…I am fully converted to Vula! (will use it in all of my courses)…”
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