Reflection: Profile Wiki

With no previous exposure or experience, the concept of a ‘wiki’ was very intimidating. I found myself to be apprehensive in approaching the task required, possibly due to my limited understanding of its use and purpose.  After one or two drawbacks in uploading my own profile to the wiki and discovering the ability to see others, I was able appreciate how it all worked and what it was all about. As each student uploaded their own personal profile, I could learn details about them such as age, hobbies, skills, and learning style, all of which I could match to my own. This allowed me the opportunity to approach students with likenesses to myself in order to work collaboratively, drawing upon the learning theory constructivism. As I continued to discover that each student has knowledge and skills in a range of different areas, I could begin to develop a network (connectivism), whereby I could call upon those with more expertise and experience in areas that I am not quite developed in, and as a result provide vital assistance to learning. In developing personal profiles, the use of an online wiki was helpful as all students could view all profiles at anytime. With the information readily accessible, it can be used to support collaborative learning and networking, not just now but into the future as well.

Additionally, the profile wiki became an invaluable experience to me as a learner, as it was my very first encounter with the ‘wiki world’. Being such a basic activity (filling in details about yourself), it was a good first step to becoming more able and confident with continuing to practise and utilise this e-learning tool of a wiki. I think introducing this kind of basic activity as a first wiki, to my own students would be beneficial for the same reasons. However, I would prefer this not be the first and only introductory/get to know you activity of my class. I would prefer they initially learn details about each other through face-to-face communication, contribution to discussion and public speaking. I believe 21^st century learners spend enough time getting to know each other through technologies external to the classroom, such as facebook and MSN instant messaging. Therefore, I would prefer to encourage students to introduce and explore differences face to face within the classroom or school environment. This would contribute to forming stronger positive relationships and bonds through social interaction.

The structure of this activity was provided in a scaffold, where specific questions were asked in order to provide, in each answer, enough information necessary for its purpose. If this scaffold had not been provided, it is possible that some may have written excessive amounts of unnecessary information about themselves and others may have had very limited responses. Additionally, the questions asked were fairly broad and not overly personal, therefore, I believe there was much less anxiety and distress in sharing such basic information about oneself.