The Open Source of Collaboration
An open source would be a platform where one could write and edit on, such as wiki, google docs, tumblr, you name it. It is a form to voice one’s thought and opinions, it is also a form in one can collaborate in. Collaborating on a platform that gives free range comes with its structure and guidelines. The basic structure of any open source would usually begin with it’s text and body paragraphs voicing the topic. With many open source platforms people can edit and comment on the topic. For example, Wikipedia is an open source that one can edit by adding or deleting information, however, there are guidelines in doing this. Usually Wiki has editors per review the edits before finalizing it. Google docs has also become a popular digital tool in the class room settings by having students collaborate effectively online. Student on the document can comment, edit, share, revise or even make suggestions if one is not allowed to directly edit. There a lot of digital writing tools that have the same basic functions, just different guidelines and the possibilities of what could be done.
Digital Collaboration In an Educational Setting
Digital Writing and Collaboration have been present for the longest time, but as we progress and our environments change, learning has changed too. According to the article Co-Constructing Knowledge Through Collaborative Writing, classrooms are using multiple forms of open source such as blogging, google docs, or wiki. Teachers have used these platforms as a way to make students better writers, thinkers, readers and collaborators. It has helped with student participation because in a blog it is pretty informal and students are able to comment back and forth with their peers. It helps give confidence with in the students because they are able to voice their thoughts in a comfortable setting and it keeps them engaged.
Teachers have also realized that writing and reading blogs have helped them experiment with their style in writing. Technology has become a substitute in traditional writing, some see it as form of destruction in education, however, that is not the case. Digital writing in these platforms have obviously supported students through its diverse ways in writing. For example, in the article Co-Constructing Knowledge Through Collaborative Writing, students learn about audio/video, multi post, or fictional blogging. Students learn how to composite layouts of text, video or audio to spread information with in the classroom or outside the classroom setting. Blogging has given them new tools with out them noticing because they are interested and engaged. This type of open source is successful among students because it is like social media, which means it is clear, easy to access, informal, and engaging, just like any open source.
The Imperfections of An Open Source
To any software there will always be some downfalls in its structure, protection or among user collaboration. Co-Constructing Knowledge Through Collaborative Writing, discusses issues with collaboration. Some collaboration issues would be disagreement or lack of interest on a topic, not sharing ideas or collaborating, lack knowledge to contribute, don’t like the hierarchy structure where there is a leader with followers, or lack communication as a group.
To create a successful setting, one needs to define their own role and have a topic that one can connect with where one can see themselves as. Protection for students is needed since it is public, which will require guidelines such as not revealing personal information, watching the language used or blocking out certain topics.
Even though an open source is questionable due to its validness, it does provide tools that help strengthen their knowledge in English Literature/ Writing.