Tools for Analysis of Research Data Collected from Wikis and Blogs

Madhumita Bhattacharya Tools for Analysis of Research Data Collected from Wikis and Blogs Centre for Distance Education Athabasca University, Canada mitab@athabascau.ca College of Education Massey University, New Zealand M.Bhattacharya@massey.ac.nz CIDER Session

Have you ever posted in a wiki(s)? • Yes X No CIDER Session

Do you have your own blog(s)? • Yes X No CIDER Session

Do you think wikis and blogs could be used for research purposes? • Yes X No CIDER Session

If your answer was ‘yes’ then please say how? CIDER Session

If your answer was ‘no’ then please say why not? CIDER Session

Lifelong Learners Graduates should be lifelong learners who have both discipline specific knowledge and skills as well as a range of generic skills or competencies. • These personal competencies, attributes or qualities are: • ...critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, problem solving, logical and independent thought, effective communication, and related skills in identifying, accessing and managing information: personal attributes such as intellectual rigor, creativity and imagination; and values such as ethical practice, integrity and tolerance. CIDER Session

Formal Learning Informal Learning Learning Systems Non-Formal Learning Framework for Lifelong Learning 80 AGE 0 AGE 2001-2008-- CIDER Session

PBL process Collaborative Learning Decision making Collaborative knowledge construction Learning as Problem Solving Problem Solution Problem centred knowledge construction Reflective thinking PROBLEM Independent Learning Metacognitive skills Concept mapping Bhattacharya, 1997 1997-2008--- CIDER Session

Social Constructivism CIDER Session

Sources of Data • Thinking log (collaborative and individual) • Chat • Discussion forum • Telephone conversation • Face-to-face meetings • Self reflection on the process of learning (artifacts and skills acquired). 2004-2007 CIDER Session

Attributes of Meaningful Learning Active/ Manipulative Responsible Constructive Intentional Attributes of Meaningful Learning Collaborative Complex Conversational Contextualized Buoyant Reflective AdaptedfromJonassen, 2001 CIDER Session

Multidimensional Model of Assessment of Learning Complementary skills : Metacognition Progression Progression Conceptualization Bhattacharya, 2001 CIDER Session

Multidimensional-multistage Model of Assessment of Learning Bhattacharya & Novak, 2007 CIDER Session

Wikis and Blogs as sources of data • Wikis for recording the collaborative process of learning • Blogs for self reflection on the process of learning (individual and collaborative) HP Technology for Teaching Award, 2007 & E-portfolio project 2007-2008--- 2007-2008-- CIDER Session

Progressive learning assessment Bhattacharya & Novak, 2007 CIDER Session

Benefits • Possible to visualise the learning process • It may not be possible to collect this data otherwise • Identify the factors or learner characteristics associated with success • Provides opportunities to evaluate and analyze ones own thinking CIDER Session

Drawbacks • Manual analysis is time consuming • Continuous feedback is not available to the participants for improvement • Some time it is difficult to make decision(s) • Different tools are needed to analyze different kinds of data CIDER Session

Your Questions CIDER Session

Moral of the story CIDER Session

Tools for Analysis of Research Data Collected from Wikis and Blogs