Affordances and Constraints of Wiki for Collaborative Learning

• In Event: Roundtable Session 82
  In Roundtable Session: Reenvisioning the Role of Technology in Education

Abstract

This study examined the affordances and constraints of wiki and evaluated its pedagogical value. Using a mixed-methods approach, undergraduate students used a wiki in the context of a group project. Data sources include screen capture recordings of students’ interactions with the wiki, group interviews, and comments and reflections on the wiki pages. Students also responded to a standardized questionnaire to examine their perceptions on the pedagogical value of wiki, before and after the project. Findings showed that wiki provided educational, technological, and social affordances. Constraints were identified with the wiki formatting system found to be the most salient. Students had positive views towards wiki’s pedagogical value. This study supports the usefulness of wiki as a collaborative learning technology.

Authors

• Samuel Kai Wah Chu, The University of Hong Kong

• Ronnel Bornasal King, The Hong Kong Institute of Education