Haniff,+Bibi+Rafeena

=**Rafeena's Reflection**=

toc

Wiki reflection #1
The wiki is an interactive space that is very easy to use. Unlike classrooms, the wiki allows people to input information and provide feedback for different questions and ideas 24/7. People who have access to computers around the clock have more of an opportunity to add information to the wiki, ask questions on the wiki and get feedback from others that also use the wiki. The problem with this is that people who have less access to computers or the internet do not have the same opportunity. Unlike a classroom, where everyone in the class has access to equal information in a given time frame, students can use the wiki anytime they want, but access to a computer and internet connection is required. Possible external problems can also arise such as: people constantly losing their internet connection or people’s computers breaking.

I have used the Wiki space in previous classes. I found the overall interface very easy to understand. I wouldn’t call myself an advanced user, but I did easily understand how to to add text and keep my information in a well organized manner. The way I learned how to format my wikis were through the “text editor” option and looking at how other people formatted their work. I enjoy the idea of an open interface where people can add information to a site and where others can readily access this information. In fact, I suggested the wiki idea as a learning tool for computing services. The wiki would assist fellow workers because if anyone had a problem, they could ask a question on the wiki. People would be able to reply to the question immediately and would be made available in the future; the information could also be edited for clarification or corrections. As it is used to help people in the classroom, I also see wikis being practical for everyday use.

With the experience I have obtained from using the wiki, I can help people who have questions about the wiki and give them feedback without having to be there with them. I can instantly comment or edit on a wiki and organize information so that it is more easily understood.

Wiki reflection #2
For CCT300, I have chosen to look at the table of contents and learn a bit about everything on the Table of Contents. I find some of the information on the wiki Table of Contents a bit irrelevant, so I do not read those ones. I try to research the topics that I find relevant and add something to a person's entry. However, if a person has posted a lot of information, I find it hard to add anything else to their entries. Currently, I have not posted an entry of my own; this is mainly because the topics that I found interesting were taken.

I find it very hard to edit other people's work. I feel that by editing other people's work, I may be taking away from what information they may be trying to portray. The changes I have made are actually additions to what others have said. I have added sources to strengthen others' information to make it more informed and backed up.

When I add a posting or make alterations. I assume that those who do change my work are doing it because they have a better source, or are more informed. I have not made new entries, I have only been adding and sourcing information. As such, I have not followed my current alterations. Once I have posted my own information, my feelings about how I feel about people changing my information might change. I do believe that people will add valid information. My hopes are that their information is backed up by a representative and respected source. I do not like using wikipedia as a valid source mainly because the information can be adjusted by anyone so easily.

RE: It was difficult finding a topic of interest to talk about on the wiki. It was also very hard finding a topic of interest that wasn't already taken. After making a few more significant edits on the wiki (ie: adding more information) I feel that I have started observing what other have done to my wiki information. This is not because I am worried about them changing my information; but rather, I am curious about their changes or additions. The "comparing history" option that wiki provides makes viewing the changes more simple.

Wiki Response #3
Some of the challenges that I personally encountered with the wiki was finding a topic to write about that did not already exist. Because of this, I spent most of my time adding content to other wiki topics of interest. There were also situations where I was asked to load previous drafts or discard them. At times I was not sure what to do, so I’d try and open the same wiki site and see what may change by loading a previous draft. I was not sure if I was getting this message because someone else was making edits the same time I was. I also found that when someone was not conforming to a wiki page’s format, I felt the need to fix the page, especially with pages that I contributed large amounts of content on. Wikispace.com went down about 11pm on November 8, 2006. This made it impossible to add or change information on the wiki.

The collaborative learning experience was very interesting. I found myself learning about new topics and being reminded of past interests. This made the wiki experience very enjoyable. I found that I did not feel guilty adding to other people’s information, but rather, I found it to be a great way to get different ideas and perspectives into different pieces of work.

I felt that the use of a wiki for group projects was a brilliant idea. Students at university come from different areas and have different cultures that may affect whether or not they can meet up with groups. By having the wiki, this barrier was eliminated because each student could put in their part of information on the wiki and the whole group could see it. The group did not have to actually meet up with one another at specific times. This was also convenient for people who have to go to work or different schedules. I think it would be a good idea if Wiki let someone know that a page was being edited or allow two users to edit a page at once (edits would be in different colours when checking history page.) Also, Wiki should allow for people to have more freedom with what wiki has to offer (ie: buttons on webpages). This would enhance the feel and appeal of the wiki space.

Rafeena's Wiki Content
Video Games - more oriented around the console section.

October 28, 2006.
1. Organizing Table of Contents page.

2. Added "The History of Blogs" section to Blogs page and edited the "What is a Blog?" entry. Added a relevant source.

November 12, 2006
3. Added information to Subliminal Advertising page. The links added also supported previous information.

4. Linked popular cartoons to images on Cartoons page.

5. Created a "similar" section on Facebook page. and added suggestions and links.

6. Created a "similar" section on Hi5 page. and added suggestions and links.

December 2, 2006
7. Started information on Psychedelic Trance page and organized page.

8. Added the Psychedelic Trance page to the Table of Contents.

9. Added information to Video Games page created a Video Games history section. This will be my wiki content.

December 3, 2006
10. Added Information to Music page and created a Different Genres section and a Resources section. I also added a relevant link, the different genres of music and linked podcasting to this section and organized the page.

December 4, 2006
11. Added information to the Video Games page Made a development of Video Games section Made sub-categories of consoles, Role playing Games, Real Time Strategy Games and First Person Shooters. Added relevant sources, relevant video and relevant images. Organized page.

12. Added information to the Video Games page Made sub-categories Computer Games and Mobile games. Organized page.

13. Organized the "In the News" section on the Video Games page

December 6, 2006
14. Added a funny video link to the FunVideoLinks page.

December 7, 2006
15. Added relevant link to Console Wars page.

December 8, 2006
16. Added relevant link to Cartoons page and revised content.

17. Formatted Anime page and revised content.

18. Formatted Al-Jazeera page and revised content.

19. Formatted Video Games page and added relevant information.