Braz,+Ashley

__//**Asha's Analysis and Reflection Page**//__

> > > >
 * My Contributions**
 * 1) Added a new paragragh to Media Genres- Sept 28
 * 2) Created a wikispace page on the topic YouTube
 * 3) Added a video clip to enhance my idea on You tube You tube
 * 4) Wiki reflection part 1&2
 * 1) Editited our group project: Forsetimedia
 * 2) Nov-29 Added information on to "Chat Rooms" Chat Rooms
 * 3) Dec-3 Added images to "Scopophilia" Scopophilia
 * 4) Added and edited to "sitcoms" Sitcoms
 * 1) Added 2 photos to "tabloids" December 4th tabloids
 * 2) Added 1 Photo to "tabloids" December 4th tabloids
 * 3) Wiki reflection (3rd set of questions)
 * 1) Online contribution "online Videos" Online Videos
 * 2) Added paragraph to "Test Feedback Test Feedback

__**//Analysis and Reflection//**__
 * //I think...//**
 * __1. When first encountering wiki at the beginning of the course.__**

· **//I think this is wikispace is the one of the few opportunities that students have to collaborate individual thoughts to unite and create an improved product without ever having to meet in person. It definitely encourages students to new concepts. As a professional writing major, I also enjoy reading people’s contributions and edits on others work. I didn’t think this wikispace would be as user friendly as it is, I’m pleased that students have found a medium in which we can work together. Wiki is a non competitive workspace, it’s a refreshing component to an academic setting.//**
 * **//What do you think/feel about this collaborative learning environment ?//**
 * **//What are your expectations for yourself ?//**
 * //I expect to learn the various components of wiki. I think avid participation is the only way to get familiar with wiki, I e expect that to utilize, and share my knowledge of this course and incorporate any skills I have to improve this space.//**
 * **//If you have previously used wiki in another course, describe what you have previously learned and how you want to expand your understanding.//**
 * //I I’ve never used wiki before. This is my first wiki experience, although I’m positive it will be way to enhance my academic online experience.//**
 * **//What can you contribute as an experienced participant?//**
 * //Well, I’m not an experienced participant, but I think I could contribute a creative aspect through my writing.//**

__**2. Think about the following and answer to the best of your ability:**__
 * **How do you choose which postings to contribute or change? What do you look for?**


 * I look for a posting that is not yet complete a posting that is working on completion. I also look for any piece of writing that can use editing. I typically edit sentence structure, or sometimes I just add content, but I never change a posting too much. I’m a firm believer in respecting someone’s work, but that’s what’s great about a wiki space, it’s a combination of everyone’s work. I like to include anything that involves media, and society. I basically look for anything that interests me, I like to work on communication and technology components.**
 * **What are your thoughts on adding, editing or re-arranging other people's work?**


 * I think it’s interesting, after all that’s what Wiki is all about, it’s the nature of wiki. I think I prefer to add “stuff” rather then edit, unless it’s constructive editing, which is different then deleting and starting over. I think if someone selects your posting to edit, rearrange or add to, it’s a compliment, and will ultimately improve your piece and overall knowledge of your topic/ posting. I think accepting someone’s edit on your piece is good practice for accepting constructive criticism in other aspects of life**


 * **Do you regularly check your own postings for alterations? Has anyone changed your work and how have you felt about it?**


 * Oh yes, I always check for changes, although one time my work was completely deleted, although I think it may have been a wiki malfunction, or possibly a mistake on behalf of someone who was simply trying to edit the page. I REALLY don’t mind edits, they just improve the quality of my work. I’ve learned that editing strengthens writing, and collaborating idea with someone else who may have a strength in an other filed such as design or technology can benefit you more than not.

3.** __//**As a final reflection for the course, post your thoughts and ideas on:**//__
 * **Challenges or limitations you experienced while working collaboratively on Wiki**
 * The only challenge I encountered was adding contributions on a daily basis. At first, I didn’t feel comfortable using wiki. I didn’t know how to use it very well, this has been my first wiki experience. As I learned how to play around with wiki,I felt better about adding contributions, adding links and so on. I still feel that I could have done more,but juggling 5 courses made this difficult, as I’m sure it did for many students. There were a few occasions when I wanted to add something on wiki, but I knew I would have enough time to make it “perfect” so I would put it off to the next day. and the day after that. I felt that I had to edit and perfect my piece before posting it for the rest of the class to see. I’ve realized that it would have been better to just post something, and fix it later. Contributing more often would have been better. I also found it difficult to contribute because it was tough to find something wiki worthy. I didn’t want to post everything and anything. I think I was unnecessarily selective, and it cut back daily contributions. However, I did edit and post quite a bit of material overall.**


 * //__**Advantages or benefits from participating in this Wiki.**__//
 * I actually learned the most from the wiki project. I couldn’t believe how many ideas and opinions people had about various genres. I learned a lot about media, which was beneficial for me. I like that I can log onto wiki anytime and get some relevant information about media and various genres. Collaborating ideas with different students gave was interesting. It was great to see everyone’s style of writing, and discover individual interests within the media. I don’t know if I would have had another chance to learn about the history, and evolution of media otherwise. I thought it was awesome that students linked their work to actual websites,everything has a link..very effective.**
 * ===__//Things about the course you thought worked well and/or suggested//__ **__//improvements//__** **__//.//__**===
 * I thought the wiki space was an awesome idea. I wish contributions weren’t worth so much of our grade…it’s a lot of pressure, occasionally students threw stuff on wiki for quick marks, it was irrelevant and lacked creativity at times, and that defeats the purpose of wiki. I thought reading** //**Understanding Comics**// **was interesting, and I actually learned a few techniques about writing, and effective use of images, this is beneficial for me as a writer. There is a misconception about comic books, a stigma. People frown upon comics at times, mostly because they don’t understand them, they don’t see a purpose, or the intelligence behind the story, or layout. I now feel like I would read a comic for leisure, if I didn’t take this class, I don’t think I would have ever read or written about a comic book. The only thing I would change about this course is the test. I really don’t feel like the test is beneficial for us in the course. I would have preferred another essay, we would benefit more if we wrote another analysis, but this time we had to apply the concept taught in lecture. I just feel like tests are created and enforced because that’s what’s expected of professors, when really…it benefits no one…just creates stress, and enforces “crunch time” for students with no time. I think it’s more effective to get us to practice writing, allowing us to express our skills and knowledge of the course creatively…because after university…the content we write on our test papers…is useless. Overall I thought the course was fun, and creative. I would recommend it to friends.**