Wikipedia WikiVet
Introduction
WikiVet is a website of veterinary content designed in a similar way to Wikipedia. The project is a collaborative initiative involving UK veterinary schools with external support. It is creating a comprehensive online knowledge base which aims to cover the entire veterinary curriculum, and will provide a reliable reference source for veterinary students, nurses and graduates anywhere in the world.
Why
Veterinary students and academic staff are familiar with e-learning as medium to supplement and complement traditional teaching and learning as part of a blended learning approach. However, with the rapid growth of material on the web, it has become increasingly difficult to find appropriate content which has been peer reviewed. This lack of signposting can result in students and staff wasting time searching for material or even chancing across second rate or incorrect information. WikiVet was therefore developed as a trustworthy site for peer reviewed material.
Development
The project grew out of existing collaborations between veterinary schools. A unique feature of WikiVet is the level of cooperation not only between academics at different schools but also involving the students. Over 40 student authors have worked and are working together writing most of the content. The content is then reviewed by recent graduates and/or experts in a specific field. The students enjoy this work and claim that they learn a lot more about the subject matter as a result.
WikiVet is created in a similar way to Wikipedia. However there are three distinct differences between the two systems. Apart from the content relating specifically to the veterinary curriculum and being peer reviewed by subject specialists, access to the majority of the site is restricted to the veterinary community. This is in order to ensure accuracy of information and reflects the sensitive nature of a lot of the content.
History
2007
The WikiVet project started work in April 2007 and initially involved academics from Cambridge, Edinburgh and the Royal Veterinary College. The initial funding was provided by JISC and HEA. The first stage involved the creation of WikiPath covering the veterinary pathology undergraduate curriculum. This has subsequently been extended to include WikiAnatomy and Physiology, WikiBlood, WikiBugs, WikiVPH, WikiClinical and more.
2008
In 2008 the project was joined by the Nottingham Veterinary School. Activity on the site expanded to cover most of the curriculum including new section on WikiNormals and WikiDrugs.
The British Society of Toxicological Pathologists funded the WikiVet server in November 2008.
2009
In January 2009 the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Trust provided funding to cover the development of an interactive question bank called WikiQuiz.
Pfizer are funding the general WikiVet site development and sponsoring the WikiMaster from 2009 - 2014.
A new section relating to most aspects of donkeys started to be developed in Autumn 2009. The content was provided and sponsored by The Donkey Sanctuary. Also in 2009, WikiSnakes and WikiLizards started to be developed.
2010
Restructure to improve the user-friendliness of the hole site was started and we hope for it to be finished soon. This will make it easier to use the search function and get to the topic of interest fast. Categories are being used to allow for navigation via different routes. The work is to continue in 2011.
Snakes and Lizard sections are completed now.
A new collaboration with CABI has allowed links to CABIAbstracts literature search to be inserted on many pages. Some direct links to full text articles have also been included. The full text articles can be accessed by any WikiVet user but the literature search is only accessible via CABI subscribing organisation or personal subscription.
2011
Restructuring the site work continues.
A new function has been added to allow users to view pages in PDF format or create their personal 'book' to print.
Results
WikiVet is easily accessible from anywhere with an internet access thus it has a potential to be used by veterinary students and practitioners worldwide. It is easy to update therefore it is less likely to become obsolete. It provides enrichment of existing teaching resources and improved learning opportunities for students through the use of novel and contemporary web technology.
References
Gillian Brown, Megan Quentin-Baxter, Zoe Belshaw (2010) WikiVet: building a community of practice to support a self-sustaining wiki for veterinary education, International Journal of Web Based Communities, 6 (2), 183 - 196
Royce Sadler (2009) Are we short-changing our students? The use of preset criteria in assessment, TLA Interchange, Issue 3 web link