Using a wiki

I am going to try to get the class using a wiki as they collaborate to do research for the report writing assignment. To minimise risk of losing the work on the wiki, I have suggested students also record the information elsewhere - eg in a word document or paper notes. (If they use word, we will need to copy text into notepad' before adding it to the wiki. I'll take copies of what is on the wiki frequently too.

I think this particular collaborative task lends itself to a wiki, as students will research an aspect of sustainability on campus and in Foundation Learning, in pairs. Each pair's research will be added to the wiki. Then all students will use these 'findings' to write their own report. I have assigned one student with good digital skills to be the 'encourager and technical support' person and I also expect to have this role.

As with my wider use of Moodle with the students, I am hoping to build their familiarity with this common learning platform.

Some of my colleagues in Foundation Learning are also enrolled in the Academic Reading and Writing course, so they can also see how the students and I are using Moodle. This helps us learn together about what works - and what doesn't. Some staff come to me with technical questions about using Moodle, the visualiser etc, and I can often problem solve with them, or if not, know where to get help. Because I'm only slightly ahead in my learning, and I'm there on the spot when they need help, it is perhaps easier for me to respond to learning needs. That's what I want too when I'm learning - typical adult learners.