Wikis

The wiki – collaborative content

The term wiki is derived from the Hawaiian word meaning ‘fast’ although it has subsequently aquired the backronym of What I Know Is to capture the collaborative nature of the software.  A Wiki provides a space where multiple people can create and make changes to a hypertext document.  It is a series of database driven pages that can be added to and edited by anyone with the appropriate permission.

Activity 1 Mucking around with wiki text

We went to Wikipedia tutorial and read the editing page, formatting and linking page. Used the sandbox link to edit and create a link to an article that exists on Wikipedia.

Activity 2 Knowledge sharing

Attempt to edit or contribute to Wikipedia

* go to Wikipedia and find a topic that you know something about

* find something you believe is missing or you think should be changed

* make a small change or addition

* check later in the week to see how the community responded

* what changes were evident upon your return

With this activity I had much pleasure as I never knew Wikipedia allowed anyone to edit.  I did not know what it was until this subject began.  I joined the site right away, then looked up ‘respite care’, something I know a lot about having a disabled son myself and receiving respite.  I found the article’s introduction to be somewhat lacking in detail so I added a few lines that I saw on a Dadac website earlier (where I receive my respite from) that summed up respite quite well.  Once I had added the content I was unsure where exactly to put the link, I created a link at the end of my addition and in the edit box I stated that I was not sure where the link or reference went and asked would someone correct this for me, I went back and checked the article the next day and it had been linked appropriately and my addition was still there.  I was so excited and I felt so important that I had added a small piece of information for the world to see and that it had been recognized and kept.  I still kept checking to see if it was there for the next week or so and to my amazement  it was.  I can see myself in the future looking for things to add to Wikipedia, what a great website.

Here is what i wrote on the discussion boards this week..

Im very excited with my first attempt to add to wikipedia,i looked up something i know alot about which was Respite care, i added a sentence, (the second sentence if anyone wants to have a look) i found this sentence to sum it up great from the Dadhc website which is who i receive my respite from and i asked for assistance on how to reference it properly and the sentence was kept and someone referenced it properly for me,this was done within 24 hours of me editing. I feel very excited that my info has been kept so far and that someone took the time to fix it for me rather than deleting it. I can see myself in the future becoming a small time good samaritan on wikipedia and i also joined up…

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