Analysis+and+Reflection+by+Anielyn+Benasa

=Summary of Contributions=

Content wise, my main topic was Online Fandom. However, it took me a while to choose this topic. That’s why in the mean time, I focused my attention on community maintenance and adding content to other articles.

With regards to community maintenance, I often read through articles and added links to related Wiki articles. On a similar note, I also searched for words within articles that could be linked to another article. I improved pages aesthetically by formatting them properly and adding pictures. I wrote about point-to-point network for the test 1 study guide and contributed to the Wiki Assignment FAQ, answering questions about adding pictures and double spacing. I also added sources to a few pages when I knew where some of the information came from.

For articles, I added chunks of information in topics such as Podcasting, Google, Chinese Internet Police, and Impacts of Media. The information I added was either complimenting or challenging the current article. I complimented articles by adding examples or case studies, and I challenged them by writing a paragraph or two with a different view.

My main focus, Online Fandom, touched upon a variety of topics in relation to online fandom, such as shopping online, virtual communities and copyright infringement. I focused on information such as definitions of types of fan activities, but also added examples to make it a more interesting read.

=Reflections and Observations=

I loved this assignment because of the interactivity. It was amazing how everything grew so quickly. I loved the idea of everyone editing everyone else’s works. From my experience in professional writing classes, I’ve learned that writing is a group experience. You don’t get a master piece by typing it alone. Our Wikispace not only grew exponentially, but its content quality increased as well.

In contrast, I was especially bothered by messages such as “DO NOT EDIT THIS PAGE!!” I felt that claims like that went against the whole point of this //collaborate// assignment. I admit that sometimes I got upset when people “took” topics that I wanted, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t edit those topics or do a similar topic. The sourcing was confusing as well. Everyone was doing something different. Some people provided links. Some people provided full bibliographies. Some people provided nothing.

=Suggestions=

For future CCIT students with respect to using Wikis for collaborative work, I suggest they be open to other people’s suggestions. I also think they shouldn’t be afraid to add their own knowledge to the pot – that’s how Wikispaces grow after all. Speaking of which, students should start early! Even if it’s a horribly rough, short blurb in point form, they should remember that the whole point of Wikispaces is editing, which means what you put down is a process – not a one-shot submission. Also, future students should agree on a standard bibliography format to avoid confusion and plagiarism.