Student Perceptions of Wikipedia as a Learning Tool for Educational Leaders

Abstract

This non-experimental qualitative study examined archival survey data collected to evaluate the e cacy of a research assignment utilizing Wikipedia. Respondents were 14 doctoral students enrolled in Educational Leadership coursework during Fall 2011. There is limited research available on this topic, as Wikipedia has been minimally utilized as a legitimate learning tool in the education setting. Parker and Chao (2007) noted that Wikis are one of many Web 2.0 components that could be used to enhance the learning process. The primary purpose of this study was to investigate doctoral student's perceptions of Wikipedia as an instructional tool in Educational Leadership coursework. The researchers also examined if completing this assignment changed students' understanding and anticipated future use of Wikipedia. Students responded that they felt Wikipedia was as e ective or more e ective than traditional research assignments for meeting learning objectives. In addition, their perceptions and expected use changed as a result of this assignment. Data suggested that students anticipated use expanded from primarily personal use to applications in academic and professional settings. 1 NCPEA Publications ∗Version 1.5: Jun 6, 2012 6:00 am GMT-5 †http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ http://cnx.org/content/m43533/1.5/ Connexions module: m43533 2 note: This manuscript has been peer-reviewed, accepted, and is endorsed by the National Council of Professors of Educational Administration (NCPEA) as a signi cant contribution to the scholarship and practice of education administration. In addition to publication in the International Journal of Educational Leadership Preparation, Volume 7 Number 2 (July 2012) ISSN 2155-9635, 1 this manuscript exists in the Connexions Content Commons as an Open Education Resource (OER). Formatted and edited by Theodore Creighton, Virginia Tech; Brad Bizzell, Radford University; and Janet Tareilo, Stephen F. Austin State University. The assignment of topic editor and double-blind reviews are managed by Editor, Linda Lemasters, George Washington University. The IJELP is indexed in the Education Resources Information Center (ERIC), sponsored by the United States Department of Education, under Contract No. ED-IES-09-C-0025. 2 Sumario en espanol Este estudio cualitativo no experimental reviso los datos de archivo de inspeccion reunieron para evaluar la e cacia de una tarea de investigacion que utiliza Wikipedia. Los demandados fueron 14 estudiantes doctorales matriculados en deberes Educativos de Liderazgo durante Otono 2011. Alli es limitado investigacion disponible en este tema tan Wikipedia ha sido utilizado minimamente como una herramienta de aprendizaje legitima en la colocacion de la educacion. Parker y Chao (2007) noto que Wikis son uno de muchos Web 2,0 componentes que podrian ser utilizados para aumentar el proceso de aprendizaje. El proposito primario de este estudio fue de investigar las percepciones de estudiante doctorales de Wikipedia como una herramienta instruccional en deberes Educativos de Liderazgo. Los investigadores tambien revisaron si completando esta tarea estudiantes cambiados que comprenden y anticiparon futuro uso de Wikipedia. Los estudiantes respondieron que sintieron Wikipedia fue como efectivo o mas efectivo que tareas tradicionales de investigacion para encontrar aprender objetivos. Ademas, sus percepciones y el uso esperado cambiaron a consecuencia de esta tarea. Los datos sugirieron que estudiantes anticipaban el uso expandio del uso principalmente personal a aplicaciones en el academico y ajustes profesionales. note: Esta es una traduccion por computadora de la pagina web original. Se suministra como informacion general y no debe considerarse completa ni exacta.

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