Grading Wikis
Which Rubric
Wikis can be used in a variety of ways, and often are used differently in different areas of the same course. In some cases, a wiki is a place for everyone in the class to add their single piece to the puzzle. There is a form, table, or other area, and each individual adds their own section. Individuals might link to their own wiki page. In these cases, the wiki acts as a type of gallery, allowing classmates to see each others' work. In the case where individuals link to their own pages, with an assignment posted there, then the assignment rubric will often be used. If participants post contributions to an ongoing list, glossary, or other form (like we did as a group when we posted Positive Phrases and Needs-Benefit Statements earlier in this class), the assignment rubric is also used. In each of these examples, the goal is to see each others' work, rather than collaboration, and therefore the Assignment Rubric is appropriate.
The Wiki Rubric is designed for assessing wikis that have been used for a collaborative project. When the final result on the wiki was a collaboration of the group, then the Wiki Rubric will be used.
There is also a Self-Assessment Rubric which is completed by the participants of a small group. In many cases both the Wiki Rubric and the Self-Assessment Rubric could be used.
If you use wikis in your courses, make sure you match the rubric to the type of work students are doing rather than just to the tool.
Individual Contributions
Determining the contributions of individuals to a small group's wiki project can be a challenge. One tool that can make your assessment of the wiki easier is the history; almost every wiki tool, whether hosted externally or within an LMS, has a tool for viewing the history of changes.
Types of Contributions
In addition to viewing the history of the class wiki, it is important to take into account the type of contribution provided by each small group member. When collaborating on a wiki, participants may provide content, compile group comments and ideas, organize (or reorganize) the content, or even analyze the process and determine what needs to be done. One participant might not provide a great deal of content, but could synthesize the group's content and reorganize it in a way that demonstrates a valuable contribution to the final product.
Product and Process
In a wiki, both the final product and the collaborative process of creating that product are important. As the participants work together, question each other, make decisions and come up with their final product they are analyzing and evaluating not just the content, but how that content can best be presented, explained, and applied.