Activity ThreeWikis

What is a wiki?• An expandable collection of web pages which allow users to quickly and

easily add, remove or edit content.

• Wikis allow people to work collaboratively on web pages, editing the work of others without creating multiple versions of the same work, however changes are recorded and listed for all to see.

• No knowledge of html is required to create, or edit a wiki and no special software is required to download.

• Access to editing a wiki can be controlled to limit who can edit the weppages.

Wikis vs. blogsWikis

• No one owns the content

• Anyone can edit other people’s work

• Good for collaborative work

• Perpetual work in progress

Blogs

• The blogger owns their posts

• Only the blogger can edit their work (other people can only comment)

• Good for disseminating information

• Posts are permanent

Wikis in plain english

Watch this short video on Wikis produced by the Common Craft Show.

(This video can also be found at Blip.tv and TeacherTube.)

Examples of wikis

The most popular wiki

Examples of wikis

How are libraries using it?

Library websites built with wiki

softwareLibrary staff documentation

Library subject guides

Themed wikis for library users eg book groups

Sharing information to geographically dispersed groups with common interests

Professional development

Conference wikis

Research and collaboration

Time to play

Take a look at several library related wikis

1. Go to Wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

2. Search for ‘libraries’ and read the entry that is retrieved.

3. Read several of the pages that are to linked to this entry.

Add a wiki entry

1. Go to the Health Libraries Wiki Sandpit at http://healthlibrarieswiki.wetpaint.com/(Just like in a physical sandpit, the aim of this wiki is to have fun and experiment).

2. Before you are able to edit this wiki you must sign in. Click on the Join This Wiki button in the top right hand side of the screen.

2. Click on the Sign Up Nowbutton.

2. You will be taken to a new screen where you enter your personal details to create a Wetpaint account. You may use an alias if desired. Click Join.

5. You may then add a profile image if desired or you can skip this step for now.

6. Please skip the next step of inviting others to join this wiki.

7. You are now a member of the Health Libraries Wiki Sandpit and can create or edit pages.

8. Add your own entry to the wiki on a topic of your choice. Several topic pages have already been created to get you started or you may like to start a new page of your own.

9. To edit a wiki page, go to the page you wish to contribute to. On this page click on the Easy Edit button.

10. Type your text in the text box that appears on the page. An Easy Edit Toolbar will appear which you can use to edit your text.

11. When you have added your text, click Save which is on the Easy Edit Toolbar.

12. An Add an Edit Note box will appear. Edit Notes are used to track the changes made to the wiki. Adding an Edit Note is optional and you may click on Skip Edit Note if preferred.

13. You have now successfully edited a wiki. Congratulations.

Blog promptsDon’t forget to blog about your wiki experience.

• What did you find interesting about the wiki concept?

• Do you see a future for the use of wikis in you library?

• Do you feel comfortable in showing others how to edit a wiki?

• Would you set up your own personal wiki?

Other tools to try• Wetpaint is only one of many wiki software that is available. As with

all Web 2.0 tools different people prefer different software depending on their user requirements.

• Some of the other wiki software available include:

Further reading• 7 Things you should know about Wikis

http://www.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI7004.pdf

• 7 Things you should know about Wikipediahttp://www.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI7026.pdf

• Wiki or Won’t He? A Tale of Public Sector Wikishttp://www.ariadne.ac.uk/issue49/guy/

• An introduction to wikishttp://www.ukoln.ac.uk/qa-focus/documents/briefings/briefing-78/html/

• Quick, free and ready to use: the wiki concepthttp://www.contentmanager.net/magazine/article_1428_wiki_concept.html