Using a Wiki to develop first year engagement

You are here

Research and Development in Higher Education Vol. 32: The Student Experience

July, 2009, 715 pages
Published by
Helen Wozniak and Sonia Bartoluzzi
ISBN
0 908557 78 7
Abstract 

The first year of University study has been recognized as of importance in the success and retention of students. During the first year, the development of a sense of belonging to a community has become increasingly difficult, due in part to restrictions on space for students to socialise, larger classes, a more diverse student body and increased on-line study. This paper describes the use of a freely available and private “wiki” to provide opportunities for medical radiation students to interact and develop first virtual and then physical communities and academic and social networks. In the first few weeks, students were initially offered small incentives to contribute to the wiki, which was monitored but not regularly contributed to by academic staff. The wiki was used extensively by students in the first term to identify and introduce each other. The wiki was subsequently used by students to develop 56 discussion “threads” with 96 members joining the wiki. Topics of discussion threads ranged from social activities to organising study groups and sharing experiences of clinical placement. Conclusions: a wiki provides one way of assisting in the development of a student culture in first year students.

Keywords: first year experience, wiki, engagement