Accepted Papers from TCEA Symposium 2008
Blogs, Wikis and Online Competencies:
An Action Research Look at Methods,
Preferences, and Presentation
Lynn Akin
Texas Woman’s University
School of Library and Information Studies
Janet Hilbun
Texas Woman’s University
School of Library and Information Studies
Diane Neal
North Carolina Central University
School of Library and Information Sciences
Hyuk-Jin Lee
Texas Woman’s University
School of Library and Information Studies
ABSTRACT: This ongoing action research explores the migration of a required skill-set assignment from a typical powerpoint/word presentation, to blogs, then to blogs and wikis. For this online class, students are required to perform a set of competencies involving information technology skills and for the first time, these skills are posted to student created blogs and on the class wiki. Minor changes to the competency skill sets were made between course sections in order to examine student preferences for format, technology, and particular competencies. Evaluation methods in use include a grading rubric, competency grades, midpoint student survey, a final student survey, anecdotal professor comments, and student reflections. Data will show student performance in individual skills, overall graded performance, student opinions about the exercise, student reflections about their skills and anxiety levels, and the faculty perspective. Results will guide best practices in introducing new technologies and provide evaluation and assessment measures.