== Reflection Essay ==
As a student in Interpersonal Media class, our first assignment was to write a Wikipedia article. I was a suspicious regarding Wikipedia before I contribute it because Wikipedia articles are not qualified to use as references for essay at most of my classes; therefore, I thought most of Wikipedia articles are less credible. Throughout all the Wikipedia training for students to be beginners, it was interactive and fun for me to learn how to find sandbox, edit page, edit summary, coding languages and rules that Wikipedian need to remember all the time. Although it was interactive, it was too simple to follow the right directions and I had to search from Wikipedia search box and YouTube to look for tutorials.
To start with, I did not know Wikipedia is open for all participants who would like to edit articles in order to make reliable sources for readers. It is interesting that I can register and choose articles that I would like to inform for people who do not have an idea about certain topic that does not exist at Wikipedia. In my groundbreaking contribution into the Wikipedia community about “Pa kimchi,” I was exposed to multiple truths that transcend a simple editing. It was a pleasant surprise that anyone regardless his or her qualification could edit Wikipedia. It is a good principle that can be adopted in real life that is judging people from the content of their work rather than their social standing. This is not to say that Wikipedia accepts an upload at face value. Instead, the community of editors critically analyzes it to gauge its validity. The entire process was enlightening and interesting in equal measure from choosing a topic to inform people, to the actual editing part. Understandably, I was nervous and anxious even after successfully uploading the article. After an interaction with other editors, my self-esteem was increased. The interaction capability illustrates the strength of the forum on its own right. Every contributor became my peers regardless of ethnic background, religious affiliation, or academic qualification and helped improve the notability of one’s article.
To increase the participation of contributors the Wikipedia innately offers incentives either intrinsic or extrinsic. Enhancing intrinsic motivation can be determine by active contributors because they simply enjoy and believe it’s right things to do without external rewards. However, extrinsic motivation when I am motivated by external factors. For me, I started with extrinsic motivation for this assignment because I would like to get good grades by contributing on first assignment Fortunately, it helps to increase intrinsic motivation as well because I felt excited when I uploaded my articles that felt satisfy after I realize everyone can see my articles that I concentrated on in order to make credible and informative. Therefore, I believe extrinsic motivations ultimately can enhance intrinsic which can lead successful online communities.
Another concept that I feel it’s important is commitment. I believe commitment helps members to be involved and help to make strong connections among users. If there is no bond with the community, it would be hard for users to be active participate and contribute it especially if it is online community. Unfortunately, it was hard for me to recognize all peers have been affected or not. I strongly felt need-based and identity based commitment because it’s assignment that we get grades for awards. Although I do not have much people that I interacted with, peers and I still made bond-based commitment in order to get good grades. That’s why commitment would be hardest challenge because Wikipedians need to find solution not only to maintain editors and contributors, also attract more newcomers.
Moreover, one of the problems Wikipedia has right now is absent of strict policies. I understand that Wikipedia trying to prevent bad behaviors from users and to be credible website by creating strict rules. It would be better if they create clearer explanation about certain notification or provide alert with descriptive message if a user make mistake. Also, as a student, I was able to find student orientation training direct link from professor syllabus, but I am not sure there is a direct link for newcomers to find a way to learn all the steps and policies. Therefore, it needs clearer directions and less restricted policies that can increase more newcomers and to keep current users.
Overall, Wikipedia is an informative and credible website. As a newcomer, it was hard for me to be committed and it could be one of challenges for current contributors as well. Therefore, the levels of commitment and motivation are necessary in order to enhance Wikipedia online community to be more bond-based community.Minjiwoo (talk) 05:54, 9 November 2015 (UTC)
