Article 2011

Wikis: Building a learning experience between academe and businesses

Reflective Practice
Journal · Vol. 12 · Issue 5 · pp. 679-693
Abstract

This article represents the second article in a series evaluating wikis as an educational tool, having previously researched students' perspectives of wikis as a learning tool. The aim of this second instalment was to evaluate the experience of not only MBA students but also entrepreneurs and academics of wikis as a learning tool. Throughout the research the participants were encouraged to reflect and discuss their learning experience with one another in order to assess the strengths and weaknesses of wikis as an educational tool. Qualitative oral and written data gained during and after the teaching reflected this experience has been a positive one for students, staff and entrepreneurs. The entrepreneurs have been particularly enthusiastic about the results, citing the educational and managerial benefits to their businesses. Evidence, however, also reveals that on reflection some of the processes and procedures need to be adapted and amended to gain greater initial student buy-in. The recurring criticism that academe and business too often fail to translate their relationships into practical outcomes can be rebutted through the development and application of wikis. Wikis offer different, but complimentary results for the various stakeholders. It is an innovative, low-cost technological tool that integrates entrepreneurial and experiential learning. It allows students and staff to understand and explore in real time issue(s) confronting small and medium enterprises, whilst business can access contemporary knowledge and practice at minimal cost. © 2011 Taylor & Francis.

Keywords

Author Keywords

Entrepreneurship education Reflection Entrepreneur Constructivist learning MBA Wikis

Index Keywords

Author Affiliations
Glasgow School for Business and Society, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
Funding & Acknowledgements
No funding information
References 10 References
1 Anderson, Alistair R., Role typologies for enterprising education: The professional artisan?, Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 15, 2, pp. 259-273, (2008)
2 Theory in Practice Increasing Professional Effectiveness, (1974)
3 Bergh, Pontus, Entrepreneurs learning together: The importance of building trust for learning and exploiting business opportunities, International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 7, 1, pp. 17-37, (2011)
4 Borzsony, Philippa, Becoming a learning organization through partnership, The Learning Organization, 3, 1, pp. 22-30, (1996)
5 Brunetto, Yvonne, The moderating role of trust in SME owner/managers' decision-making about collaboration, Journal of Small Business Management, 45, 3, pp. 362-387, (2007)
6 Bumpus, Minnette A., Chapters in the Life of an Entrepreneur: A Case Study, Journal of Education for Business, 83, 5, pp. 302-308, (2008)
7 Looking Inwards Reaching Outwards the Cambridge Cluster Report 2007, (2007)
8 Chen, Helen L., Using wikis and weblogs to support reflective learning in an introductory engineering design course, ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings, pp. 15539-15548, (2005)
9 Cheng, Yin Cheong, Development of multiple thinking and creativity in organizational learning, International Journal of Educational Management, 19, 7, pp. 605-622, (2005)
10 Chu, Samuel Kai Wah, TWiki for knowledge building and management, Online Information Review, 32, 6, pp. 745-758, (2008)
Quick Actions
Full Text via DOI
Citation Metrics
3
Times Cited (Scopus)

References 10
Document Identifiers