Week 2 - Engagement Activity 4: wiki activity reflection

Activity 4 Blog reflection on wiki activity

My wiki

This(essential) activity is to post a reflection about the learning that was facilitated in the Mobile Phones wiki, analysing it within the context of the learning theories you are starting to consolidate.
Is this forum reflective of Behaviourism, constructivism, cognitivism, connectivism? One, or all of the above? 

Reflection of behaviorism, it is a low level content wiki site, the topic (Bono's Six Thinking Hats) is an well know theory and easy to adapt. The action involved is explained in clear steps, and everyone seems to be able to follow. I found it was a bit hard to fine information and keep the format simple, as the wiki is now full of information but looks messy.

Reflection of constructivism, I think wiki is the open platform for everyone to participate; everyone is interacting with another learner on this communication platform. The only problem for me is that it was not easy to follow who said what, but the conversation history is recorded there.

Reflection of cognitivism, the layout on this wiki has divided into six different section by the different colour of thinking hat. It guides me to see the different parts I need to participate to, the table format was helpful on some level. It was easy to find out what other learners’ idea on that particular thinking hat, it created a space for me to seek relevant information.

Reflection of connectivism, I have learned so much more from other learners’ answers to this topic, sometimes even able to realize my misconception about Bono's Six Thinking Hats in the past. 

What are the characteristics of the wiki design that lead you to that understanding?

The fact anyone can participate and there is no record of who said what?(not sure am I right about that). This gives people freedom to say what we think and we know, and share the knowledge. So if I think each of the thinking hat as the branches for a mind map, then this wiki is an online mind mapping process bring all people’s knowledge to the same “map”. It helps me to gather ideas, and see for explanations before I reach my understanding of each topic, and share my knowledge with others.

Reflect on your own personal participation in the wiki. What are the benefits, issues, drawbacks of participating in a wiki like this? 

Benefits are I can see everyone's answers, I felt there is this connection between everyone by doing this activity together we are a community.
Drawbacks, the lay out was very hard to follow, or it is hard to be interpreted in different ways by different user. It also has no right or wrong on this wiki. I might have said something that is completely wrong, but it is recorded on this wiki as if someone else could think that is correct. Also it is easy to delete someone else’s participation by mistake and mess up the format. Anyway I found it was a bit Messy. 

How would it contribute to the learning of your students? 

This can be used as a good place for students to freely express what they know and what they have learned or even a place to ask questions. They will know once they post something on wiki, it is public information shared with everyone. This helps students who would not share much else where but feel more secure or comfortable to share online. Also this gives teachers and other tool to help to understand their learners and build connections.




How did the scaffold support the collection of a range of perspectives? 

There are certainly some guidance and good connection from doing this wiki activities that helps me to learn this topic, and see other users' ideas. It is categorizes and coloured and easy to follow. I assume there is one person the teacher will be in charge of checking or valid the participation from users, and guide us to the right direction of understanding. This exercise helped me to see how wiki works, and where are the areas I will need to be careful with when using wiki as an ICT tool for classroom learning.

At last, I am not supporting mobile phone in class. Not yet, it is not ready to me.