EL4C26 Feedback

Please use this page for any questions and/or comments you may have throughout the course. Click on edit, enter your comments, questions or suggestions, and save.
 * Please write your name, your feedback and comments, ask questions, and respond to the discussion questions.
 * Please add your Username and/or your wiki-signature to your entry. For instructions on how to add or personalize your wiki-signature see help page Signature.

Thank you =) Feedback, Discussions, Questions, and Comments

=Start-up Questions=
 * 1) How easy or difficult was the start-up for you?
 * 2) What are your suggestions for improving the instructions?

=Please read What is a wiki? and answer the following questions:=
 * 1) Do you have any concerns about the quality of educational resources developed using an open authoring approach? If so, what are your concerns? If not, how does an open authoring approach contribute to high quality learning materials?
 * 2) In your opinion, should course development for education use closed or open authoring approaches? Give reasons for your view?
 * 3) What mechanisms can be adopted to assure quality of educational content developed in Wiki environments?

=Replies=

Hanaa Khamis
--Hanaakhs 08:58, 6 May 2009 (UTC)
 * Hi! I guess I'm a little behind. I haven't received a notification by email to get me started. I'll try to catch up:-)
 * A wiki is a web 2.0 application that allows a group of participants to collaborate on a single/multiple projects through a continuous process of adding, editing and deleting (my humble understanding of the concept:-))
 * Advantage:
 * Infinite opportunities of productive endeavors
 * Disadvantage:
 * Limitations in accountability & authorship rights
 * In my opinion, course development for education should adopt an open approach. However, a rigorous monitoring and assessment approach should also go hand in hand.--Hanaakhs 09:09, 6 May 2009 (UTC)

Shalinee Bhardwaj

 * Open authoring allows for the collation of a diverse set of ideas and knowledge as it comes from various sources. It helps in the horizontal        expansion of existing knowlegde base. However, due to the ease of content editing and its openness, the data has to be filtered by experts on a continuous basis for its credibility, that can be a mighty task! Closed authoring is safe from such unwanted changes but it takes into account the  ideas of a few experts in the field. I think, once a particular project/page is 'completed' ( after going through lots of editing by different sources and passing through an expert group) on wiki, it should be write-protected. Any further additions to it may be taken as supplementing the main project.Shalinee Bhardwaj

Yamini Panchaksharam

 * Being new to WikiEducator, I'm not sure if there's already a system in place that keeps a check whether contributors have listed peer-reviewed journal articles and textbook chapters in their reference list (along with relavant weblinks). Also, from time to time, experts can be invited to review articles/ chapters contributed to Wiki (for various fields of study). Finally, a feedback from users describing how the contributed academic resource helped them (as general reading material/ useful for project work or other applications).In case of authoring approaches for course development, what comes to mind right away are the multiple editions of a textbook that helps update the content on a regular basis. If I were to develop an academic text (by text I mean a document containing several chapters and sub-components), I would request readers not to insert new content (i.e. an update) in the existing page. Instead, they can insert a link to a new page containing the updated info. Personally, I would be a bit uncomfortable (to use an online text) if I were to keep checking which paragraph/ chapter has been updated in the past week!The 'open authoring' approach is what makes Wiki unique. But I do agree with Shalini that beyond a point there should be a restriction/ check on adding information in the same project file/ document. - Yamini

Ayo Onatola
While I cannot say that I am new to contributing to wiki, I am interested in the ongoing workshop because I need a proper tutelage/tutorial on how to do things in the right and most acceptable manner.

I have had input on wikipedia on some issues which I have more correct information than was published on the wikipedia. I offered the required information and the input was duly acknowledged.

That takes me to the issues relating to open authoring and closed authoring now. I appreciate openness of ideas as well as open access to wiki. However, I believe there is a need also to ensure authenticity in the information to be added, credibility of the source and deserving credence to the authority of the contributor to a wiki.

In essence, there should be some elements of cross checking and moderation of facts or information to be contributed. This 'censorship' tasks can be assigned to a group of resource persons who must handle such treatment with despatch. When this is achieved, users of such materials on wiki can be rest assured that the information from there is authoritative, factual and usable.

From the foregoing, it is clear that as much as I like open authoring, I am still more disposed to close authoring of materials to be published on wikis. Ayo
 * Ayo, I would like to help you with what you were trying to add to the page with your information. Can you explain what you would like to add? Thank you. --Nellie Deutsch 14:31, 13 May 2009 (UTC)

Shashi Chawla
In my opinion open authoring is a wonderful way of imparting ,sharing and learning knowledge.But the question is how to check authencity of the information? Moreover ,it does not include published information.This in my view limits the utility of wikieducator.Most of the people prefer publishing their work rather than sharing it.

The information on wiki should be screened by a group of experts in the field and once through should be closed for further editing.Suggestions can be invited thereafter.

Both open as well as closed authoring has to exist together--Shashi Chawla

Mamta Mitra
I am of the opinion that wiki is very nice way of sharing knowledge.But its contents has to be clearly monitored and once screened,no further editing should be allowed. --Mamta Mitra 13:51, 6 May 2009 (UTC)

Question
Can any other user edit my user page also.--Mamta Mitra 13:58, 6 May 2009 (UTC)
 * Yes, they can. --Nellie Deutsch 14:51, 6 May 2009 (UTC)
 * All changes can be reverted back. It is best to discuss the issue under Discussion on your Talk pages & then add or make changes on other's pages.--Gita Mathur 15:47, 7 May 2009 (UTC)

Question
I have uploaded an image file just to learn the uploading feature. However,now I want to delete it. Please guide me how to delete it permanentaly.Thank you.--Mamta Mitra 17:57, 6 May 2009 (UTC)
 * Dear Mamta, It is nice to see that you are going ahead of the daily layout. Please see Day 6 activities & the tutorial on uploading images & then upload. I will delete this image for you, learn about it later. Ok. --Gita Mathur 02:22, 7 May 2009 (UTC)

Alejandra Guajardo
I don't have many concerns about the quality of educational resources developed in open authoring environments since there are wiki communities as Wikieducator with a high quality in content and collaboration. So this confirms that open authoring approches really work.

However, we know that "open" doesn't mean "anarchy" There should be at least and administrator and a list of basic rules that regulate members' activity. Also mechanism as "return to previous version" (for example in wiki pages) or clear guidelines about editing, using of copyright materials, using of links and references, etc. can help to get educational materials of high quality and avoid vandalism

I feel comfortable using materials created in open authoring communities. Also I recommend them to my students. I have little experience in developing open authoring materials and collaborating in communities as Wikieducator but this experience has been positive until now.

Open authoring approaches should be applied in course development every time we can or when we see this will really improve the teaching-learning experience. Personally, I find open authoring resources help to connect theory with student's daily life experiences (sorry I don't know well how to express this in English!!). They are easier and faster to access and update. It encourages students and teachers to create and use imagination. And there is a nice feeling of sharing and community.

In wiki sites as well as in other collaborating educational communities there are many things we can do to assure quality of content and good practices, for example, clear guidelines about editing, using of copyright materials, using of links and references,etc. But I could be helpful also to have tutors or mentors among expecienced members that introduce new ones to the dynamics of the community and the process of developing content. Also members have to be encouraged to do some kind of censorship to those who violates the community's rules.

Thank you. --Alejacha 15:31, 8 May 2009 (UTC)



Dear Participants, we are happy to see the progress on your pages. Please add your comments and suggestions here. You are welcome to ask any questions.--Gita Mathur 15:43, 7 May 2009 (UTC) 



Question
Dear Gita Mathur,The file has not yet been deleted. I can check in my logs and file history. Please delete that file.Thank You.--Mamta Mitra 15:25, 8 May 2009 (UTC) 

Any file you want to delete just add 'two curly brackets open Delete two curly brackets closed' to the file & it will be deleted by technical help of the website.--Gita Mathur 16:29, 8 May 2009 (UTC)
 * Dear Mamta, I saw the files, the photos are good, so I did not delete. You may add them to your userpage. Think..., your photo can go in the infobox.

Question
Dear Gita & Nellie

I'm not sure about the function of these codes. Could you please help me? --Hanaakhs 12:22, 9 May 2009 (UTC)


 * "REDIRECT" + "Other article"
 * " + Category + : + Example + "



=Online Meeting=

WiZiQ is an on line live class. Register on [|WiZiQ.com] by clicking on the link. It is Free.

We had a very interactive LIVE discussion today. The presentation by Nellie and Gita is here. Click on the link to see the presentation.
 * May 9, 2009

[[Media:May_4_15_2009_WikiEducator_as_a_Personal_Lear.swf]]

The recording of the live discussion is now available....I have added the link here & you can see it.

Online Live WiZiQ meeting of the Facilitators and Participants of EL4C26

--Gita Mathur 16:55, 9 May 2009 (UTC)




 * Here is a list of all those who Participated in the Live Discussion:(ADD YOUR NAMES AS HYPERLINKS TO YOUR USER PAGE if you were present)
 * Nellie Deutsch
 * Gita Mathur
 * Gladys
 * B.Vaijayanthi
 * Ayo
 * Yamini
 * Priyanka
 * Alejandra
 * aka_Ken
 * Katy
 * Zion_Zee
 * B_swartz
 * rid
 * Philbartle

Participants
 The wiziq session was good. This was the first time I ever attended such a thing. So I couldnt keep tag of what was happening. Next time I think I will be better off. You wanted to know what was physical chemistry; we may say it deals with theoretical aspects of chemistry or say calculation of various parameters such as bond angle, bond length, velocity, rates of reactions, heat exhanges in reactions, to energy of moelcules or energetics of any reaction or simply the pH of a solution! Basically it involves mathematical calculation of anything as simple as concentration of a solution (say how much of solute in how much of solvent)to anything as complex as - energy of a DNA molecule when a drug binds to it - to find out if it would bind to the DNA at all. To list some of the topics - equilibria, kinetics, thermodynamics, liquids solids and gases etc. B.Vaijayanthi
 * Dears Nellie and Dr. Gita


 * Dear Nellie and Gita,

It was really interesting to have the online class it was a new experience to intereact in a new field. I think it gives us new ideas to use with our students and new ways to be in contact. So even though it didn't have a lot of intereaction among the participants it was nice to see and hear the presentations of everyone. I hope I can catch up with my classes and be able to end this workshop learnign how to cooperate and be part of the wikieducators. I think you do a wonderful job sharing  your  time and knowladge with us. Thanks a lot for it.--Katydel 00:36, 11 May 2009 (UTC)

=Info Box = Please fill up you Info Box on your pages. We will be adding your certifications in the box. Ask here if any difficulty.--Gita Mathur 13:54, 12 May 2009 (UTC)

Dear Gita: Please could you help me with this?:

a)I prefer not to have the Table of contents in my user page (but in a project page yes!). Is it possible not just hide it but erase it?.
 * a)add code  . Cheers.--Gladys Gahona 16:56, 12 May 2009 (UTC)


 * Sorry Gladys, I couldn't do this. I wrote the code but nothing happened. --Alejacha 04:06, 13 May 2009 (UTC)
 * Please Ale, check your page... Table of Contents is gone :-) --Gladys Gahona 04:15, 13 May 2009 (UTC)
 * It's true!! I just saw it. Thank you Gladys --Alejacha 18:31, 13 May 2009 (UTC)

b)I'm trying to upload pdf files to my user page. I was successful with the first file, but not with the second. I think I could upload the file but couldn't link it to my user page. What could have happened?
 * b)I presume you are talking about file: "Proyecto investigacion lonccos.pdf". It was not uploaded ok to the server. Please try again. Change title, a shorter one. Remember, the maximun file size is 2MB. Saludos --Gladys Gahona 17:10, 12 May 2009 (UTC)


 * Finally, I got it!! Thank you --Alejacha 04:06, 13 May 2009 (UTC)

c)I'd like to request my wikineighbours to check any grammar,spelling or expression error in My user page. Is it possible?
 * c)sure, I do it all the time. :-). Just put a banner in your page requesting for revision, folks will help. Go to english teachers' pages, put a note. Saludos --Gladys Gahona 17:04, 12 May 2009 (UTC)

Thank you so much. --Alejacha 15:34, 12 May 2009 (UTC)--


 * Thank You Gladys. You are a GEM. Gita--Gita Mathur 17:13, 12 May 2009 (UTC)
 * Welcome Gita. :-) --Gladys Gahona 17:30, 12 May 2009 (UTC)
 * Thank you Gladys and Gita. I really appreciate your help. --Alejacha 04:06, 13 May 2009 (UTC)

Question
I have uploded an image of mine for which I have posted Deletion Request, but it has not been deleted yet.Please help.Thank you.--Mamta Mitra 14:21, 13 May 2009 (UTC)

Question
Dear Gita and Gladys, a)¿How can I upload a powerpoint presentation to my user page?. Thank you. --Alejacha 04:02, 14 May 2009 (UTC)
 * Alejacha, you need to go into upload file on the right tab of this page and see the kind of files that you can upload to Wikieducator. MS files cannot be used. Otherwise any of the other files are as easy as uploading a photo. Please let me know if you need further help if you only have an MS PowerPoint Presentation available on your desktop. You may be able to use google docs and convert it to a pdf file. Please contact me for help on how to convert files. --Nellie Deutsch 04:28, 14 May 2009 (UTC)
 * Dear Alejacha, see a small Presentation on my user page on "Uploading a Presentation". Hope this will help. Gita--Gita Mathur 04:08, 14 May 2009 (UTC)