Using Wikis for Collaborative Writing

ProjectsA presentation for the course EDU 5230

Ann Hemingway

In this presentation

What is a Wiki? Overview Examples Wiki Applications

Wiki for EDU 5230 PBWorks Working with wikis:

Creating an accountAdding multimedia content

What is a Wiki?A collaborative website that includes

content edited by anyone who has access to it.

Originally an abbreviation of WikiWikiWeb, software developed by

American computer programmer Howard G. Cunningham in 1995.

‘Wiki wiki’ is Hawaiian for “quick”

Wiki.(nd). The American Heritage © Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Retrieved August 21, 2009, from Dictionary.com website: http://www.dictionary.reference.com/browse/wiki

The Original Wiki Wiki

Photo found at http://techrichclass.com/wikis.php (source unknown)

A wiki is a tool to create an interactive web site.

A wiki allows work groups to collaborate outside the constraints of time and space. Can’t meet? Post on the Wiki.

A static wiki is a dead wiki. The strength of a wiki as a collaborative tool resides in the contributions of the participants.

What is a Wiki?

Famous WikisThe most famous wiki is ‘Wikipedia’. Its founders believed that all of us together know more than each of us separately.

They believe that Wikipedia’s perceived weakness is its strength. By allowing change to the content, it creates stronger, more rigorous content.

Part of the ‘Open Source’ Philosophy

A Wiki for Everyone!If you can name a collectable, a hobby, a movie, a sport, there is a wiki community devoted to it.

There are all kinds of wiki communities:

• Learning and Research• Business and professional Development• Gaming and Hobbies

Teachers and educational researchers, can use wikis to…

Create an interactive website devoted to a professional topic.

Provide support to teach an individual class.

Wiki ApplicationsThere are many wiki applications available

WikiMatrix http://www.wikimatrix.org)

This site allows you to compare wikis side by side based on your specific needs and requirements. The search wizard helps you customize your query and retrieve appropriate applications.

PBWorksThe application PBWorks was chosen for the course EDU 5230

http://pbworks.com/

Used in schools and universitiesCustomizable interface WYSIWYG Editor Image and File Uploads Links Free

PBWorks AccountIn order to access your course wiki, you will need to create a PBWorks account.

University of Ottawa email addresses preferred.

Use a combination of your name and surname. No anonymous accounts.

Customize your AccountIn the “My account” section, go into settings and customize your profile by adding a picture.

Join your class WikiWikis were created for Prof. Barlosky’s course Leadership in Educational Organizations (EDU 5230)http://edu5230.pbworks.com

Sign in to your account, go to wiki site and send a request to join to the site administrator.

The Wiki StructureYour class wiki is organized by case study

The main page is used to create text, embed links, pictures, videos, etc. These pages can be edited by all members of the group and will serve as the template for your group work. Think of is as your assignment storyboard.

PBWorks ToolsThe wiki’s main collaborative area is set up like a simple WYSIWYG word processor.

PBWorks Tools

The “Editor” menu includes options to include the various elements of your text (images, links, widgets etc.)

Wiki Questions

For assistance setting up and using your wiki account, please contact me at ann.hemingway@uottawa.ca

Exercise 1: Create your account

Create your account on PBWorks and request to join the class wiki.

http://pbworks.com

Exercise 2: Working with text

Write a post on your case study page using the wiki editor. Experiment with the various text options.

• Write a title using a heading font

• Use underline and bold options

• Change font colour

• Create a table

• Create a bullet list

• Write a comment to the post on your case study page

Exercise 3: Linking and Embedding: websites and images

• Find a website and insert a link to it on your case study page

• Upload an image to the wiki. Use an image bank such as Getty Images or iStock photo to find it.

• Embed the image you uploaded in your case study page.

• Search and and select a strip from the Dilbert Cartoon website (http://www.dilbert.com)

• Embed the cartoon in your case study page

Exercise 4: Linking and Embedding: videos and presentations

• Using Youtube, search for a video on any topic.

• Embed the video in your case study page

• Using powerpoint, create a two or three slide presentation and save it on desktop.

• Create a slideshare account (http://www.slideshare.net)

• Upload the powerpoint presentation to the SlideShare site

• Embed the presentation in your case study page.