Sample Wiki Assignment and Rubric
Collaborative Class Notes
This assignment is adapted from Associate Professor of English at Central Connecticut State University Jason B. Jones’ “Classroom Notes” assignment (Jones, 2009 retrieved from http://chronicle.com/blogs/profhacker/wikis-part-2-in-the-classroom/22686).  This semester long wiki assignment can be adapted and modified to fit any course.
1.  Purpose/objective 
Students will summarize class lecture and discussion by coauthoring class notes into a class wiki.  Students will also explore extension material to make connections to and further support the course content.  Students will
●	Work in groups to summarize and coauthor class content and notes.
●	Define course terminology.
●	Use the web to find extension material for course content (related articles, data sets, artwork, documentaries, virtual exhibits, maps, etc.).

2.  Resources
Students will need access to a computer with an internet connection.
 
3.  Process
Students will work in predetermined groups to coauthor class notes on selected class sessions.  After each class session, the selected group will author the class notes for that class sessions content.  

Sample Student Directions:
You will work in a group throughout the semester to collaboratively author class notes for each of your assigned class sessions (see Class Notes Schedule or Syllabus).  Your task is to work collaboratively to effectively summarize and synthesize the information presented in class.  Within your group, you will create a wiki page for each of your assigned class sessions.  Each wiki page will include:
•	A 200-300 word summary on the class content
•	A list of key terms, defined.  Additionally, there should be supporting examples (at least one) for each definition.
•	Artifact links.  Link to 3 or more artifacts that support or extend the content for that particular class session.  Artifacts could include a peer reviewed scholarly article, a map, a painting, a data set, an editorial, a news cast, a podcast- whatever your group deems a support or extension of the course content for that day.  (Note that 3 is the minimum requirement).
Your wiki pages should also be free from errors, grammatical or otherwise.  Supporting graphics, fonts, and formatting can enhance your pages’ “look” and “feel”.
To gain access to the class wiki, check your email.  I have emailed you each an invitation to join the class wiki.  From the wiki link, click “join”.  Remember to keep your username and password in a safe place.
We will practice writing, editing, linking from, and uploading to the wiki in class before you begin the collaborative note taking assignment.  Additionally, you can find tech help for the wiki at http://www.wmwikis.net/

4.  Timeline
Pre-class Preparation- Divide the class into an appropriate number of groups.  Each group will be responsible for one or more day’s notes.  A sample schedule for a Spring semester course with 5 groups appears below (Fig. 1).  Notice that one early class session is devoted to wiki exploration.

Additionally, faculty will want to create the initial wiki and invite students to join the wiki.  It might also be helpful to provide a sample page as a model for acceptable class notes.

In and out of class collaboration- Early on in class, allow students an opportunity to explore the wiki in their groups.  They can practice writing, editing, uploading files, and inserting links.  Once the assignment has been explained and once students have practiced in the wiki, the actual collaborative writing can take place outside of class time as homework.

Post-project Evaluation- Evaluate each group’s class notes.  In the sample assignment adapted from Professor Jones, he provides a “working” draft grade so that groups can add, edit, and update their class notes until the end of the semester.  Students should also be reminded to use the class wiki as a resource for exam review.

5.  Suggestions for Evaluation
Instructors can determine whether to evaluate an individual day’s notes or to evaluate the collective effort of the group’s wiki notes.  An example rubric for evaluating the collective group wiki notes is provided below (Figure 2).  Additionally, faculty can modify the rubric located in Appendix 1.3a.
	Exemplary/5	Proficient/4	Satisfactory/3	Unsatisfactory/2	
Class Summaries 	The group has authored 5 comprehensive class summaries.  The summaries fully cover course material.   	The group has authored 5 class summaries.  The summaries adequately cover course material.   	The group has authored 5 class summaries, though they may not meet the length requirement or be as complete as they could.  	The group missed one or more of the required 5 class summaries.	
Terminology Definitions & Examples	The group clearly lists and defines all terms and operational definitions from each of the assigned class sessions.  The group also includes thorough examples for each definition.	The group lists and defines all terms and operational definitions from each of the assigned class sessions.  The group also includes examples for each definition.	With one or two exceptions, the group lists and defines terms and operational definitions from the assigned class sessions.  The group includes thorough examples, though one or two may be missing. 	The group overlooked some of the key terms from the assigned class sessions.  The group may also have failed to provide examples of the definitions.	
Supporting & Extension Artifacts	The group exceeds expectations for providing extension artifacts on each page.	The group meets the requirements for providing extension artifacts on each page.	The group provides three links or extensions on each page.  The artifacts may not be diverse, or may not fully support the course content.	The group fails to meet the expectations for providing extension artifacts on each page.	
Collaborative Effort & Style	The collective notes are well-authored.  It seems as if the group worked together seamlessly.  Each wiki page entry looks great, with supporting images and media.   	The collective notes are well-authored.  It seems as if the group worked together seamlessly.  Each wiki page entry looks great.   	With one or two exceptions, the collective notes are complete.  For the most part, the group worked well as a team.  	The group seemed to have difficulty working together.  The class notes may read as though they were written individually rather than as a group effort.  The wiki pages include errors.   	
Total Points _____ (out of 20 possible points)