» Lessons from a failed wiki
Wiki used for a class – mainly used to store assignments (meant to fail, but faculty curious about “how” it would fail) The lesson the professor learned is you need to learn the nature of the system you want to implement, including peer pressures involved when using the medium, and the factor the professor’s involvement changes the experience.
What was the incentive for students to modify the class notes? The Professor realized he needed to add incentive. That worked out a little better, but only one or two students participated. Multiple people were not editing the document. Professor then added reading notes, and asked students to review them before class. Feedback form the students: “I was afraid to do things—I was afraid to do that because I didn’t know if it was right.” “Just my opinion.” Students drew attention to the nature of the audience—peers and a professor—and the drive to impress peers and the professor prevented them from touching the page.
The professor then made it part of the final exam and then the students had incredible notes.
The lesson the professor learned is you need to learn the nature of the system you want to implement, including peer pressures involved when using the medium, and the factor the professor’s involvement changes the experience.