Collaborative learning using Wiki and flexnetdiscuss: a pilot study

  • Authors:
  • Ng S. T. Chong;Michihiro Yamamoto

  • Affiliations:
  • United Nations University/Media and Technology Laboratory, Tokyo, Japan;United Nations University/Media and Technology Laboratory, Tokyo, Japan

  • Venue:
  • WBE'06 Proceedings of the 5th IASTED international conference on Web-based education
  • Year:
  • 2006

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Abstract

Dialogue can facilitate active engagement and critical thinking in learning in many situations, such as when a learner's ideas are challenged with conflicting viewpoints in a debate. Nowadays group communications in online learning processes are being supported by a range of tools. This paper focuses on the usefulness and effectiveness of the combined use of Wiki and a new communication tool that we have implemented for enhancing debate-based learning experiences. The experimental study involved the participation of small teams in a debate conducted online and in traditional settings. The analysis of the results outlines the different roles of each tool, and suggests the positive effects owing to the complementary strengths of the tools on fostering active participation and achieving high quality in the debate.