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nstruct their knowledge (Boulos, Maramba, and Wheeler, 2006).

Project Aims and Objectives

The main purpose of this study is to conduct exploratory qualitative research to investigate whether Social Web, specifically wiki, use in the classrooms of secondary schools can enhance collaborative and project-based learning. Consequently, there are two aspects to this research that come together in significant way: Social Web in Educational settings and project-based and collaborative learning.

The key questions this project will try to answer are:

What new collaborative dimensions can Wikis add to the project-based learning in secondary schools for Key Stage 4 students?

What factors influence successful wiki use in collaborative activities?

How existing learning paradigms can be extended through Wiki use in and outside the classroom?

Project Outline

The practices of participating in wikis, and social software more generally, could potentially provide a structure supporting a community of practice model of learning as individuals come together, and develop a repertoire of shared practices, bringing new experiences to the group and learning from the group's existing practices. The wiki itself could be seen as both the site of participation, and the reified artefact that acts as a record of that community's practices.

The uses of Social Web technologies in educational settings reveals new practices and considers them against existing learning theories and paradigms. These technologies encourage learners' deeper engagement with learning materials, and the affordances of shared working spaces to improve collaboration between learners are desirable outcomes. It is generally held by many educators that students of all ages learn best when immersed within a culturally and socially rich environment in which scaffolding of learning can be achieved (Bruner and Haste, 1990 ). Further, where learners and peers are committed to achieving the same goals, they tend to regulate each other's performances (Jonassen, Peck and Wilson, 1999), a positive outcome that can be facilitated through the use of shared, digital learning environments such as wiki.

The project mainly builds up from the modules ED1014 Learning& ICT and ED2033 E-media in Education, Pedagogy & Practise and generally reflects major ICTED programme aspects.

Methods

In accordance with qualitative research tradition (Denzin and Lincoln, 2005; Merriam, 1998; Stake, 1995; Yin, 2003), multiple data sources for examining the research questions will be collected. This will include: background information collected via the pre-interview questionnaire, semi-structured observation and interviews with the participants that will comprise of students and teachers.

Data collection will occur in two stages. In stage one, participants will complete the online background questionnaire which will aim to define the prior knowledge and experience of using wikis and help to answer some aspects of the second research question. In stage two, structured observations will be carried out (a minimum of five, one-hour field-based observations) which will be triangulated by the following: 1) semi-structured interviews with participants, 2) analysing participants' artefacts that wi