Ribeiro,+Louisa

=//Wiki Work Timeline//= = =

//**September 19th**// //**September 21st**// //**October 2nd**// //**October 3rd**// //**October 4th**// > > //**October 6th**// > //**October 10th**// //**October 11th**// //**October 30th**// >
 * Joined wikispace
 * Posted entry - Mapping to Table of Contents section
 * Added a note in the Elara entry so that others would know what to expect when they hand in their work
 * Added screenshots to How to Edit Wiki
 * Somebody deleted my Analysis & Reflection link! Luckily the page itself wasn't deleted and I only had to replace the link.
 * Added A3 Project Groups menu
 * Answered a Wiki FAQ question 5
 * Added the Interesting Links section with links to [|Wikipedia] and [|DontClick.it]
 * Started entry - PACT
 * Started a Wikispace for a group project in another class CCT380, CityCLAWS
 * Created starter brainstorming page for CCT333 group
 * Added to PACT entry
 * Added paragraph to Graphical User Interface entry (GUIs vs Command Prompt)
 * Added to PACT entry
 * Added OTHEX link to Table of Contents
 * Added paragraph to Graphical User Interface entry (Sliders)
 * //November 7th//**
 * Added to PACT entry

=//Analysis & Reflection//=

1. //When first encountering wiki at the beginning of the course.//
 * What do you think/feel about this collaborative learning environment?
 * Wikispaces is fun and easy to use! It didn't take me very long to learn it at all.
 * I expected it to be more complicated.
 * It's pretty cool how it lets you make pages like these without needing to input any html coding.
 * What are your expectations for yourself ?
 * To learn how to use it and to make the most that it has to offer
 * To take initiative in housekeeping and entry contributions when possible
 * To keep up to date with the course by visiting often
 * If you have previously used wiki in another course, then describe what you have previously learned and how you want expand your understanding.
 * Never used it before but I have used Wikipedia to do preliminary research for various projects.
 * What can you contribute as an experienced participant?
 * Content
 * Taking the initiative in making helpful links and menu items
 * Understanding of helpful web design
 * HCT specialist and knowledge from other HCT courses

2. //While working on wiki (mid-term).//
 * How do you choose which postings to contribute or change?
 * Usually, I find postings I want to change by browsing through the topics and finding ones that I know more about and feel I can contribute to.
 * It's usually just by chance. If an idea comes to me at the time, I will contribute. If not, then I don't.
 * I browse the wiki often to keep up to date and to contribute when I can.
 * What are your thoughts on adding, editing or re-arranging other people's work?
 * It's definately a different type of system than I'm used to.
 * Usually when it comes to group work, individuals are solely responsible for certain parts so there is some sense of individual work even in a group project. However, with the wiki, everyone has an equal say in all parts of the project so it's harder to divide responsibilities exactly.
 * This system is better for the greater good because it makes collaboration on a project easier, it helps keep project components consistent and it facilitates more thorough editting from members since everyone's progress is visible all the time. However, it requires members to refrain from taking their own work too seriously. Otherwise they may feel offended when it is editted. It just requires a different sort of thinking about "group work". One person cannot carry the entire load because the wiki benefits from edits and different user inputs.
 * Do you regularly check your own postings for alterations? Has anyone changed your work and how have you felt about it?
 * Yes, I regularly check my own postings to see if anyone had changed or added anything.
 * Someone has added a few examples from a BMW seat control in my Mapping entry.
 * A few people have also added some paragraphs to my PACT entry.
 * Nobody really changed my work, they just added to it and I don't mind at all because I know that this is what the wiki is about and I intentionally left those entries somewhat open-ended so people could add to them.

3. //Reflecting on wiki process (end of term).//

As a final reflection on your experience with the CCT333 wiki, look back and read your first entry. >> >> >>
 * Have your views changed in regards to collaborative learning while participating in this wiki?
 * I still think Wikispaces is very useful, fun and easy to use.
 * I used the Wikispace for various projects and I've found several other pros and cons.
 * Collaborating in a group of 5 members is a very tough thing to do. Without the wikispace, my project group for CCT380 would have been constanty emailing different versions of documents to one another. The wikispace provided a more efficient, organized and attractive way to put together group documents and to present material.
 * On the other hand, I found that sometimes the wiki added to my already busy workload.
 * Images had to be resized to fit on the wiki.
 * I had to copy and paste a lot of text into word documents to hand them in.
 * Several group members didn't know how to use the wiki very well so I had to walk them through several things.
 * Are there any ideas, suggestions or comments you could share for possible improvements?
 * I found bold/underline/italics buttons to be very glitchy at times.
 * They would stick and not let you edit the style of certain text.
 * I also found that while the page layout of side menu with main page was a good set up, I often found the main page to be too narrow especially when inserting pictures.
 * Furthermore, when resizing pictures on wikispace, they would turn out fuzzy and pixilated. Therefore, automatic resizing of images would be a useful feature.
 * I also think more options for page customization would be nice. After I played around with some of the spaces' display options, I found I was more motivated to work on the wiki and more proud of the project's presentation.
 * Things you thought were most productive or helpful about using wiki?
 * The ability to edit pages.
 * The ability to see who was editing a page at the same time.
 * The history section so see who edited what when and the ability to revert to past pages in case of a mistake.
 * The ability to insert links, images and other files.