Collaborative working: Wiki and the creation of a sense of community

This paper reports on the effectiveness of Wiki technology for creating a sense of community amongst 96 second year computing undergraduates engaged in group based assessment activities. This paper reports on the student experience, their attitudes and feedback relating to the use of a Wiki over a one year period at the University of Hertfordshire, through the use of pre- and post-test questionnaires. In addition to the questionnaires, student reflections were captured using a Blog, with entries about their understanding of the purpose of the community, rationale, and how the Wiki influenced and supported their undertaking of the group based assessment activities in a social constructivist blended learning environment. Results from the pre- and post-test questionnaires shows a significant difference t (64) = 2.527; p < 0.05 in learner confidence in using the technology to support group work, t (70) = 3.436; p < 0.05 shows that Wiki technology can support group work and t (64) = -4.451; p < 0.05, that learners equally participate to the group work whilst using the technology. Results from the reflective blogs show that learners valued the Wiki in undertaking the group based assessment and fostering a learning community. This demonstrates that both people and task aspects are important when considering the design of a blended face-to-face and online learning experience. People oriented learners cited being comforted by each other and that being online saves face. Task oriented learners value the opportunity to manage their own learning and learning environment.