Topic 6 Exercise 6.3

Trust and Reputation: how is it achieved?

In less that 250 words (one page)

Analyse and comment on other aspects of online trust and reputation (Table 4) that you feel are worth discussing across any TWO online communities. Consider how design for usability, sociability and sustainability can help to foster trust and build a reputation among users especially for pragmatists, conservatives and the skeptics.

Without a doubt trust is an Integral ingredient that is sought for any relationship, including those relationships that are built online, such as those with sites such as Facebook. Facebook is a good tool in the sense that it puts users in touch with people worldwide that they may of otherwise lost contact with – but it has its disadvantages as well and some of those disadvantages are linked with the issue of trust. Recently, it has been reported in the media that there have been cases of bullying associated with facebook. One of the capabilities of facebook is that members can write on other people’s wall. In most cases, but not all, you need to be “friends” with the person to be able to do this. But in the cases of bullying that has recently been reported in the media – some people have placed comments about others that are deemed derogatory and thus have caused distress to others. That is only one example of where trust can be an issue when using a site such as facebook. Some people can “pretend” to what to be a friend on the site when really all they are trying to do is obtain information (such as email addresses) so they can send email to someone encouraging them to buy or endorse certain products.

On the other hand, sites such as the CSU Forum seem to be a lot more trustworthy. I guess this is because unlike facebook where anyone is free to join, on an online community such as the CSU forum members must be enrolled with the university to participate on the site. I guess the bottom line is the world is made up of many different types of characters and when using sites wherein the general public are free to join members should always be a little weary.

Topic 6 Exercise 6.2

Wiki and Moodle Design

1. Visit Moodle.org or ispg.csu.edu.au/Moodle and join it or any similar moodle site that allows public login or that you have already experienced.
2. Get the enrolment key for the ITC510/213 Moodle class from the subject forum post by the Lecturer.
3. Navigate through the system to get a look and feel for the place and try to make forum or blog entry on topic.
4. Using your CSU interact wiki or other wiki experience and your short experience as a Moodle member answer the following.

• What is about the design of the wiki and Moodle that you liked or disliked?
• What features do Wiki and Moodle have in common and what are the differences (eg a Wik, forum and blogtool is also groupware design feature inside a Moodle site)?
• Is the presence of likeable features also a combination of the design tips for usability, sociability and sustainability, as advocated by Preece and Kim in earlier topics?

I was very curious to check out moodle as I hadn’t heard of it let alone used it before. I liked that it that the registration process was relatively painless and in terms of usability moodle looks relatively simple to use. I spent some time just “touring” the site getting a feel for what it is all about. I was not really disappointed at what I discovered. I particularly liked that I could access wikis, blogs, forums and chats all from the one site. These abilities make the site more attractive as I wouldn’t have to have use multiple sites to use a variety of tools.
Unfortunately, my experiences of actually using a Wiki with my students is somewhat limited – but from my studies I have discovered that they too are fairly easy to set up and a good tool for collaboration.

Topic 6 - Exercise 6.1

Design rules and your CSU Forum Experience

Consider all the times you have used a CSU forum in your study in all subjects. Under the 3 headings from table 2, purpose, people and community size, describe in your own words any forum experiences where you not only felt a sense of belonging, worth and satisfaction, but a sense of loss when the forum was closed. If this has never happened to you explain why under the same 3 headings.

Purpose
Using the CSU Forum I have the opportunity to interact with students who are working towards a common goal and thus there purpose for participating in the forum is similar to mine. This common purpose influences the character or tone of the interactions.

People
There is a wide range of people comprised in the forum and despite sharing a common goal they have different experiences and therefore can offer a variety of useful information to the group – making participation worthwhile.

Community Size

Bearing this is mind, interacting with the online community that is the CSU Forum is worthwhile in the sense that we can share ideas, discuss problems and vent frustrations. Even if members of the community do not have solutions to the problems it is satisfying being able to “vent” or discuss issues that other members of the group are more likely to understand.
With the above points in mind, it is fair to say that when interacting on the CSU Forum or indeed, just lurking I do indeed feel a sense of worth and belonging knowing that I am not alone. in my journey.