The use of Wikis for Assessing Collaborative Learner Achievement

This paper seeks to examine the potential for wikis in assessing learner achievement. There is a widespread recognition that groupwork is a beneficial method of learning, and that assessment is a key driver in determining the learning methods that are employed (e.g. Scouler, 1998; Black and William, 1998). Examining the processes of assessing groupwork and the potential that new technology can bring to this is essential to expanding its use. One new technology, which can be used to assess groupwork, is a wiki – an editable webpage which can track the comments made, plus any discussion which goes on behind the scenes, and log the time/date of contributions. This paper reminds the reader why groupwork is such an essential part of student learning, how it is crucial that this is appropriately assessed, how the assessment of collaborative student achievement has been attempted in the past and the ways in which emerging technology- with a particular emphasi