Wikis 101
A simple discussion of a simple topic
What is a Wiki?
• A wiki is a web page that you can edit.
If you can use
Then you can use a wiki.
and
Why are wiki’s interesting?
Because other people can edit them too
And then the wiki becomes the sum of what all the participants have to offer…
Why Wiki?: Collaborate and Publish
• We wiki to aggregate information from a group of people
• We can keep it to ourselves, or publish it broadly
Bennies
• Not happening in email• Doesn’t get lost• No attachments or downloads• EVERYONE ON THE SAME PAGE
10 uses for wikis
1. team roster2. document organizer3. resource collection4. issues list5. FAQ6. Plan and organize7. Brainstorming8. Build a portfolio 9. Wiki is the document10. A living knowledge base
Team roster
Document Organizer
Resource collection
Issues List
FAQ
Plan and Organize
Brainstorm
Portfolio
Wiki is the Document
Knowledge Base
Editing
Editing
Important feature considerations
• Commenting• Versioning• Permissions• Indexing, linking, media handling
But collaboration isn’t a technology
Just like the game isn’t about the ball.
• Creative– Coordination toward
specific goals
• Connective– Ensuring like finds like
• Compounding– Ensuring Present finds past
What is collaboration?
Fostering Wiki-based Collaboration• Goals
– As with everything, its easier to gain cooperation and get quality results when you are very precise about the purpose of the wiki
• Team– It helps to have a good team. Choose them and/or cultivate your esprit de corps carefully.
• Trust/Respect– Needs to be built. Show leadership by consulting others on issues where you aren’t certain.
• Sharing– Studies confirm – early sharing leads to better collaboration.– If you wait too long, you become too invested in the work to be open to feedback.
• Recognize contributions– Be sure to recognize and give credit for contributions.– The best way to win trust, loyalty and added effort is to do the simplest things
• Say thanks• Point out the idea’s originator, if clear.
• Leadership– Leadership is ever more important in collaborative environments, because its essential that everyone
shares the same goals and objectives• Weeding and pruning.
– A little investment pays off.
So is a wiki enough?
Call me, beep me
• Twitter @Deb_Lavoy• On Linked In/Facebook – Debra Louison Lavoy
• Email: [email protected]