1. The Potential of Wiki Technology as an
E-Learning Tool in Science and Education;
Perspectives of Undergraduate Students in Al-Baha
University, Saudi Arabia
Ibraheem Alzahrani * John Woollard
University of Al-Baha University of Southampton
Al Baha, Saudi Arabia Southampton UK
attfe2003@hotmail.co J.Woollard@southampton.ac
m .uk
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2. The main aim of the present study is to find out
the possibility of using wiki technology as an e-
learning tool in Al-Baha University.
Keywords:
wiki; interviewer-administered questionnaires; perceptions;
collaborative; knowledge building.
Ibraheem Alzahrani & John Woollard,
April 2012 2

3. Research Method
Interviewer-administered questionnaire was designed for the pilot study
purposes, the method included four axes:
1- Determine the extent of students' knowledge of computer and Internet skills;
2- Identify the extent of students' awareness of wiki technology;
3- The possibility of using another learning style, from students' point view, and
4- The current role of Al-Baha University toward E-learning.
Ibraheem Alzahrani & John Woollard,
April 2012 3

4. Research Protocol
Phase Procedure Duration
Identify type of sample
Sample selection
Before Implementation Identify the number of sample
With regard to the sample Identify place and time for piloting
Data collection method
Design questionnaire During
Before Implementation Design the consent forms the 1st
With regard to the Writing Materials Obtaining the consent of the University week
Obtaining the consent of the sample members
Meet the sample members in one group
During the implementation Interview everyone to collect data During
Collect data the 2nd
week
After the
After the implementation
Data analysis and writing the findings 2nd week
Ibraheem Alzahrani & John Woollard,
April 2012 4

5. Research community:
Population. The number of students in the University of Al-Baha
reached to approximately 17,000 students in the academic year
2011. This number including male and female students in 12
collages.
Sample. The sample referred to as a convenience sample. The
selection of this type of sampling is referring to that the sample
members are ease to access and to deal with. 24 students were
asked to participate in this pilot study in two college of Al-Baha
University, College of science, and College of Education
Ibraheem Alzahrani & John Woollard,
April 2012 5

6. Research Axes:
1- Determine The Extent of Students' Knowledge of Computer and
Internet Skills.
The purpose of this axis is to find out the extent of students' skills of using the
computer and the Internet to obtain an indicator prior of their ability of use
wiki technology in learning. As the use of wikis requires of some skills such
as editing, research on the web pages and other skills that will be addressed in
the questionnaire.
Ibraheem Alzahrani & John Woollard,
April 2012 6

7. Research Axes:
2- Identify The Extent of Students' Awareness of Wiki Technology.
This axis contains a series of questions about the wiki technology. In terms of
the concept of wiki, the use of wikis in general, the use of wikis in learning
and some of the questions related to the wiki. Through the students' answers
to these questions can be accessed to see how students are familiar with this
technique.
Ibraheem Alzahrani & John Woollard,
April 2012 7

8. Research Axes:
3- The Possibility of Using Another learning Style from Students' Point
View.
This axis will consist of a series questions that focus on knowledge and
perceptions of students on the use of e-learning as an alternative way as a
substitute for traditional learning. In order to determine the accepted of
students to learn through an alternative method of that which currently used
(Lecture).
Ibraheem Alzahrani & John Woollard,
April 2012 8

9. Research Axes:
4- The Current Role of Al-Baha University toward E-learning.
This axis will focus on what is the role of Al-Baha University towards
students in the field of e-learning. Through some points that will be addressed
in this axis such as: providing training courses in the area of
e-learning, support and encouragement students and provide the technical
potential for computer labs and Internet and computers. The result of this part
of questionnaire may provide clear evidences of the possibility of learning
through Wiki.
Ibraheem Alzahrani & John Woollard,
April 2012 9

10. Findings:
First axis: Students’ possibility to use a computer/laptop.
The final analysis of this axis indicates to that all of the samples have the
possibility to use the computer/laptop whether they own a computer or they
can go to a place where there are computers. This result is a positive indicator
of the ability of the students to access the wiki
Ibraheem Alzahrani & John Woollard,
April 2012 10

11. Findings:
Second Axis: Students’ Possibility to Use the Internet.
This axis aims to determine students’ possibility of using the Internet through
two essential aspects: Students’ internet connection and their practical
experience of the internet.
Ibraheem Alzahrani & John Woollard,
April 2012 11

12. Findings:
Third Axis: The Extent of students' knowledge of wiki. To find out
students’ knowledge of wiki, the third axis consists of four questions
concerning the main characteristics of wiki including text editing,
communication, learning style and content creation.
Ibraheem Alzahrani & John Woollard,
April 2012 12

13. Findings:
Forth axis: The desire of students to learn via the wiki technology.
(Figure, 4)
The fourth axis is designed to find out the students’ preferred methods of
learning. The students indicate the popularity of learning via traditional
learning style (the lecture) (64%), E-Learning type (20%) and blended
learning (16%).
Ibraheem Alzahrani & John Woollard,
April 2012 13

14. Findings:
Fifth Axis: Evaluate The Role of Al-Baha University with Regard to E-
Learning (figure 5)
The fifth axis gives an indication of the students’ perceptions of the role of Al-
Baha University with regard to E-Learning. Through students’ responses it is
clear that the students do not feel the University has an active role with regard
to e-learning in terms of the following elements: computer availability and
internet accessibility.
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April 2012 14

15. Thank you for your
attention..
Ibraheem Alzahrani & John Woollard,
April 2012 15