User:Ahn.cha/Reflection

As a college student, I have always used Wikipedia as a source for information but have never considered contributing to the actual site. I always thought that “someone else would do it,” leading me to take the information I found so resourceful on Wikipedia for granted. My first reaction when I learned that we would be creating our own articles was that it couldn’t be too hard. The only real challenge was creating an article that hadn’t already been written. Which led me to my first surprise, which was there is an incredibly extensive list of article that have not yet been written. Regardless of how much content is already being made, there is always more to learn about which is fascinating. In terms of viewing Wikipedia as a community, I never considered the fact that Wikipedia was in fact an online community like Facebook or Twitter. People can interact, socialize, and be a part of a sub world that they all take pleasure in contributing to.

From the beginning, I found the integration into Wikipedia to be very appealing. Kraut and Resnick state that making “new members” take “separating tasks will encourage those who are a good fit to the community to join while weeding out undesirables”. The process of Wikipedia Training For Student not only forced me to familiarize myself with the applications of Wikipedia but also created an enhanced commitment to the community. It reviewed principles of Five Pillars of Wikipedia which allowed members to create an identity-based commitment, which is “commitment that occurs when people feel connected to the group as a while or its purposes”. As people review and understand what Wikipedia is about, it allows them increase their commitment to a community that they understand and want to continue contributing to. Extrinsically, my main motivation for learning Wikipedia was for a course grade. To be completely honest, I was not too concerned with contributing a lot to the community in the future. However, after learning about all the rules, moral conduct policies, and difficulties that Wikipedia encounters and embodies, I discovered a great respect for the way this online community is handled.

When I was first looking through the list of Requested Articles needed to be written, I was shocked at how much was not yet published. Throughout the years, I simply assumed that if there were something to be written, Wikipedia would have done it. But now I realize how naive that kind of thinking was. The amount of knowledge to be acquired is vast and limitless, leading members to be intrinsically motivated to continue contributing in search of knowledge growth. This is also why it is important Wikipedia introduces members to it’s purpose and goals so that members, like me, an remain committed to the community. After choosing and writing my article, I moved it out of the sandbox and merged my article because I did not create a new article. My initial article was titled “TF-X” but it was really an extension on the original article “Terrafugia TF-X.” Once I moved my article out of the sandbox it was up for editing by random people who, like me, were informed of the pillars of Wikipedia. I saw that this editing process is similar to Kraut and Resnick's design claim that “interdependent tasks increases…identity based commitment” because it allows people to work together to make Wikipedia the best it can possibly be.

When I first created my original TF-X page, User:SwisterTwister patrolled me, and User:AmandaRR123 left a comment on my talk page suggesting I merge my article. This instant feedback was extremely encouraging because it let me know my work was now out on the internet and I was beginning to contribute. Overall I found that there was a lot of friendly interaction that lead me to feel validated and encouraged to continue with my work and also providing interaction to others. After I merged my article, I found several edits placed upon my work. The first one can be viewed here. It was a mistake I had made when citing an article that placed the value of the vehicle in pounds and not dollars. Upon seeing this revision I was extremely happy because not only does it mean that people have been viewing my article, but they are taking the time to make it better, all in the name of Wikipedia’s mission. Even small edits like creating the correct dashes were made. Even though the amount of corrections made to my article was not high, the simple fact that other online members were all contributing to the article gave me a lot intrinsic gratification. The entirety of Wikipedia’s collaborative culture is extremely interesting and quite entertaining to be a part of. All of this editing and interdependent work showed that Wikipedia embodies Reagle's concept of Good Faith Collaborating. Because we share a "set of assumptions, values, meanings" we work together as a community under good faith that we will all contribute and help realize Wikipedia's pillars. Wikipedia is comprised of a lot of random people, yet Wikipedia somehow makes it all work. Regardless of the fact that this site is somewhat governed by it's own people, it was managed to create a community were people share the same ideals and work to create the community they inhabit.

Looking back on our class, I wish that I had been a bigger user of Wikipedia. Not even throughout our course, but just as an informed user because after learning about the community I want to remain a part of it and contribute more in the future. Initially I did not see myself being into it, but because I have spent the time learning the functions and all the amazing features that come with being a Wikipedian, I am truly happy to call myself a member of this community. My biggest regret was not spending as much time with Wikipedia during this course. I feel like if I had time to solely dedicate to using just this platform I would be much more involved and understanding of how it works. Everything from Wikilove to Teahouse, I wish I could have done a better job being a part of that during this semester and I do regret it. However, because I know have an extensive knowledge of not only how to use Wiki, but also what it stands for I am excited for the future