Mike+Bruner+Analysis+and+reflections

In discussing and relating observations I have made over the past few weeks using the //Wikispaces// I will be covering three separate areas: My actual contributions to the space including content and community maintenance, observations gathered from the collaborative writing experience, and possible suggestions for future students working on collaborative assignments through Wiki’s.

Shortly after we were given the assignment, sections and areas of discussion quickly began to pop-up. While I tried to read as much of the new daily content as possible, I found it more rewarding, (not to mention far more manageable), to try and confine my contribution to a few areas. The reason for this was that it allowed me to concentrate my research for content contribution to a few areas, topics in which I had an interest in, and topics that I had relatively more knowledge on then other areas so as to best contribute to the discussion and content creation. My initial postings were under the “Current News Issues” section. I first posted an article about Microsoft’s on-going antitrust legal problems. I felt it was an interesting and relevant article for the course, and that it fit well the other articles that were posted, but also provided a unique angle. Subsequent posts have primarily been to support and further the article on Globalization. Although there were other sections that dealt with similar subject matter, this particular section interested me because the initial post by the first individual gave a broad overview that made it easy to expand and further the discussion on the subject mater. Specifically, I felt it was necessary to bring to light the philosophical ‘sides’ of the debate. In so doing, I created the sub-topics of “Pro-Globalization” and “Anti-Globalization”. I also worked to expand upon the explanation of various keywords being defined in the discussion.

My very early impressions of collaborative writing were that I honestly thought, with such general criteria for content, that it may prove difficult for all of us to come to consensus oh what was important. An example of this was in the side navigation bar. At intermittent times there was an internal link to the Globalization page and sometimes not, depending on who had edited the menu last. My early impressions seemed to be unfounded as once people seemed to settle into the idea of a Wiki, evolving discussions on topics seemed to be fairly coherent, and edits were generally helpful and far from arbitrary. Looking back, I do feel that it was a good experience working with the Wiki, and made for a richer discussion with a wider scope of ideas and opinions.

In terms of suggestion I could make for future students involved in a wikispace there are really two major ones. The first is that for a more coherent final product, it’s essential to communicate with other collaborators, either synchronously or asynchronously. This will help the content have a far more directed feeling rather then ‘random facts’. The second suggestion is a rather simple one, check back often for edits. Sometimes the smallest edit can change everything on the page and you may be required to go back and edit some of your previous content. Keeping abreast on the latest changes also allows you to follow the ‘conversation’ of the page and this helps you bring the most relevant content.