Wikis are websites that allow users to collaboratively create and edit page content using a web browser. Wikis support hyperlinks and have a simple text syntax. Wikis were introduced in 1995 and have been used for over 10 years. Some key features of wikis include that content is instantly published, links can be easily created, and only a web browser is needed to use one. Wikis were integrated into the learning management system Blackboard to allow collaborative document editing and enable students to publicly display information. A case study showed how a wiki was customized for an institution and made available within Blackboard courses.

1. Wiki’s in Bb Presented By Nicola van den Berg 28 th September 2005

2. Session Outline Define Wikis Wiki Features and Challenges Why Wikis in Bb Integrating Wikis with Blackboard Case Study Summary

3. What are Wikis? Definition of a Wiki “ Wiki is a piece of server software that allows users to freely create and edit Web page content using any Web browser. Wiki supports hyperlinks and has a simple text syntax for creating new pages and crosslinks between internal pages on the fly.” http://wiki.org/wiki.cgi?WhatIsWiki

4. “ The word “Wiki” originates from the Hawaiian “Wiki”, which means “quick”. Wikis have been in existence for almost ten years. They were first described and introduced to users of the World Wide Web in 1995 by Ward Cunningham who also developed the original software.” (Leuf, B and Cunningham, W. (2001). The Wiki Way: Quick collaboration on the Web, pub: Addison-Wesley Longmann.)

5. Example Wiki page Camel Case Edit Page

6. Some of the features of Wikis are: Content is instantly published Links are easily created Only need a browser to use a Wiki

7. Some of the features of Wikis are: No need to know complex programming or web languages. Information is easily shared Work well for collaborative activites, such as brainstorming, lists, event planning, and document creation.

8. Some of the challenges of Wikis are: Because anyone can post a contribution, people can populate wiki pages with spam. However, most wiki software offers the ability to lock pages down . When several users are editing pages at the same time, conflicts can occur However, there is the ability to view current text plus the text you were working on, allowing you to fit both together.

9. Why Wikis in Blackboard? What can Wiki’s Offer? What are their uses? Support collaborative contribution to documents Enable students to add content to a shared page Provide a space students can use to publicly display information

10. Students collaboratively contribute to content, by adding links and descriptions to the Wiki page.

11. Example tasks Group writing an outline for a project Brainstorming Collaborative document creation Event planning Development of a shared web resource collection

12. Wikis in Bb: How was it done? Installed UseMod ( http://www.usemod.com/cgi-bin/wiki.pl ) Set Config files Determined usage parameters Put Scripts in place so that the Wiki did what we wanted Created Instructions and Guidelines

15. Click ‘Save’ to complete the creation of your wiki page

17. Integration with Bb Wiki pages can be integrated with Blackboard by adding URL links into Blackboard courses. The most common way has been to link a Wiki page from the Course Menu.

18. Integration with Bb Other variants have included linking to specific wiki pages, from different sections within the Blackboard course. By having the wiki pages open “within the page” rather than in a new window, the wiki becomes seamless with Blackboard.

19. Case Study of use Example of Wiki page inside Bb

20. Case Study of use Example of Wiki page inside Bb

25. Summary We chose wiki software, customised it for our use, and made it available. We have made people aware about what wikis are, at the same time as our wiki in Bb pilot, we have made a wiki freely available to any user as a sandpit area for people to explore wikis. So far the uptake has been slow, but the interest is growing!

26. Where to From here? The next step is to offer comprehensive workshops to Bb Users on the use of wikis. We will continue to look at other Wiki Software, and may switch to a more comprehensive wiki software at a later date.

27. So What do you need to do ? Choose Wiki software that is right for your institution Install it on a Server Explore the software to find the best way for it to work for you Let your staff know about it!

28. There is lots of different Wiki software available, that use different programming Languages. http://c2.com/cgi-bin/wiki?WikiEngines

29. Questions?

30. Nicola van den Berg Unitec New Zealand [email_address]