MikeIp

=Mike Ip's Analysis & Reflection Page: Welcome!=

My contributions to the CCT333 wiki thus far:

 * I created this page.
 * I created the Government Testing of Usability and Safety page.
 * I've made minor edits to other pages.
 * Made various links to other pages.
 * Worked extensively with BetterThanGood's Group Wiki Page.

The only issue I found was that a lot of the times I'd want to do a page but someone already did that page. Like the study notes for the final test. I really want to put something up for that but people beat me to it. And Things like study notes aren't something you can add or change when they are complete study notes. If you did that you may as well rewrite the text book.

I know my contribution haven't been as much as it has been in previous classes and definitely not as much as some of my peers in the class but I still tried to contribute where I could. I hope the contributions I have made and I have made a bunch, helped my peers in this class.

Analysis & Reflection: Due 14 November 2006
1. When first encountering wiki at the beginning of the course. > - I believe this collaborative environment can be used as an excellent learning tool as long as it is monitored but the professor or advisors regularly. The potential for collaborative learning within a wiki as potential as long as the class gets along with eachother and mischevious behaviour is kept within a zero tolerance policy.
 * What do you think/feel about this collaborative learning environment?

> - I expect to help the class in some fashion within this environment. Whether it be for various projects we have through the year or study notes for the final test. I hope that I can contribute in a positive manner. Though my contributions may be minimal to start, I generally contribute more toward the end of the course and when the major assignments and tests become more of an important topic of discussion for the class.
 * What are your expectations for yourself ?

> - I have used wikispaces in at least three courses prior to CCT333. In those classes I learned how to edit and change things around. Essentially the basics of partaking in the Wiki fun. I hope to expand my knowledge of Wikis by learning how certain pages may get lost in the great expanse a single wiki community. I know in previous courses I thought I made a page but then for some reason it seemed to disappear on me. I hope to find out where these wiki ghost pages are and if I can revive them. Or, hopefully, just avoid the whole problem altogether by not losing anymore pages.
 * If you have previously used wiki in another course, then describe what you have previously learned and how you want expand your understanding.

- I can contribute the knowledge I have gained through previous experiences using wiki. More importantly, I am taking another course that touches on usability issues and I can bring that knowledge forward to this class and help people with there work. Essentially, knowledge is power and I hope to bring power to everyone through this wiki community.
 * What can you contribute as an experienced participant?

2. Think about the following and answer to the best of your ability: > - There are certain pages that give me more interest than others. For example, there is a page on guitars in this community. I really like guitars, so I hope to contribute to that person's page. Basically I look for pages that interest me and ones that I am knowledgeable in and try to contribute in that way.
 * How do you choose which postings to contribute or change?

- This idea of adding, editing, or re-arranging other's work is the basic idea of a wiki. At first I thought this kinda sucked. But basically you just need to get over it. In this school setting, nobody is going to change your work for the worse. And everyone is just trying to help. So accept the revisions and try to help other people as well. With proper contributions and help the overall wiki can be something to be proud of.
 * What are your thoughts on adding, editing or re-arranging other people's work?

- I used to regularly check my own postings for alterations in the pervious class wiki's I have taken. Now I still check but not as often. I feel I can make my time more productive by looking at other pages and editing those. No sense in checking and rechecking the same page. May as well look at something new and help make it better.
 * Do you regularly check your own postings for alterations? Has anyone changed your work and how have you felt about it?

3. As a final reflection on your experience with the CCT333 wiki, look back and read your first entry. - I have worked with Wiki's before so I haven't really had any change of views. Even durning this semester I am in another class at UTM that utilizes the Wiki interface. I enjoy working with wikis and only wish they had a feature that allows you to put grades up privately. - I guess I mentioned my idea already - incorporate a way to have grades added so that they can be privately viewed. Another idea I suggested in my final test: when one person is editing a page, nobody else should be allow to edit it. Make a one person be page at a time to edit. This way no editing will overlap or be lost. I think it has happened to a few people where they would be editing and someone else would be editing as well and someone loses their edited work. - I found the wiki helpful to learn when things are due and when to post them by. Course syllabuses available online help out a lot. It won't get lost in the clutter of paper that accumulates on my desk. I always know where to check. Additionally I get to see what's going on with other students in the class and things they are interested. I also found the Question and Answer pages quite useful.
 * Have your views changed in regards to collaborative learning while participating in this wiki?
 * Are there any ideas, suggestions or comments you could share for possible improvements?
 * Things you thought were most productive or helpful about using wiki?

//Note: I really like working with wikis. I find them kind of fun. I don't want to sound nerdy though. My only problem with them is the fact that whenever I think of something to contribute, someone else has already posted on it. And I know I can edit the things people posted but sometimes a lot of the information already posted is what I would have posted. And there is no sense in changing or editing something for the sole sake of making a change or edit.//