Getting to Know Wikis
From HarambeeWiki
Contents |
What is a wiki?
A wiki is a website which enables collaboration through allowing users to add, edit and remove its content. The term Wiki can also refer to the collaborative software used to create such a site.
Think of a wiki as a web-based chalkboard where we are all free to add, change or remove text found upon it.
Wikis enable multiple people to come together to work on a common document, text, plan or anything else in text form. With many people collaborating on improving the text, the result is much better than a single person working on their own.
Interesting Fact: "Wiki" is a Hawaiian word meaning "quick". (Wikis are intended to be quick and easy to use!)
How are wikis used?
Wikis are mainly used to collaborate around a shared result. They can be used on their own or as part of
Specifically, wikis can be used in many ways. Here are some of them:
- Planning: Planning an activity, meeting, project. Brainstorming around shared ideas.
- Documentation: Documenting results of projects, meetings, etc.
- More examples of how wikis are used... (provided by Harambee network coordiantors)
Exercise
Purpose: The purpose of the exercise is for you to seek out wiki examples and to understand how they are being used.
Your Task: Search the internet for any five wikis and answer the following questions about each:
- What is the name and url of the wiki?
- How is it being used?
Send answers to the Focus Networks mailing list.
Reference
"Wiki" entry in Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiki
Output
- Jackie will collect wiki examples and associated uses sent to the mailing list. These will be circulated to the mailing list and documented in the wiki with a synthesis of the responses to the question 'How are wikis used?
