Wikis

Much like the first word processors were build around the notion of a piece of paper as the creative canvas that you would save as "files" in "folders" on your computer (in order to ease the mental transition to computing), the wiki is a creative canvas built around the notion of a network: distributed access, global publishing, and integrated online syndication (via RSS). This shift has ignited more fluid collaboration that is simple to establish and sustain, fostering the rise of countless communities to create, curate and moderate their own wiki sites.

objectives

Create your own wiki or participate in the development of an existing wiki

requirements

Choose one: Create your own wiki, OR

Participate in an existing wiki by (you must do all three)

1. creating a new page/entry;

2. expanding an existing page/entry; and

3. "cleaning up" an existing page/entry by fixing spelling/ grammar/ punctuation/ style

If you create your own wiki, you must populate it with a minimum of 5 pages/entries and include media such as photos and/or videos

If you participate in an existing wiki, you must read and follow the community guidelines/ standards to ensure your additions are welcome and not deleted (e.g., wikipedia moderators will quickly delete a page that is not in line with their "pillars")

first steps

Select a wiki hosting service and sign up for an account to create your own wiki

Select an existing wiki (does not need to be wikipedia, but that is an option) and read their community guidelines

If unfamiliar with how to create a wiki page, practice using whichever content editor the wiki uses (some are more user-friendly than others)

Familiarize yourself with example of successful wiki entries, or well organized wikis to ensure you create something of value

grading

50 points possible

Up to 20 points for each requirement (grade can not exceed 50 points however)

Up to 10 points off if your wiki page/entry is deleted at time it is accessed for grading (if you page is deleted and you feel this was unwarranted, you can try again and resubmit, or discuss the assignment with me)

Points off for cutting corners or other evidence of a lackluster effort

Creativity is welcome and encouraged: try adding more than text, revising a page of a subject with an important update (like a band with a new album, etc.), or starting a wiki for something silly or quirky

deliverable(s)

  1. Submit your work through the embedded form above
  2. Post a response to this exercise with a link to your social network/space
  3. Respond to at least one of your class colleague's submissions by replying to their comment on this assignment page.
  4. Rate this exercise and explain your rating with comments about specific strengths/ improvement ideas. Anonymous posts are perfectly acceptable, just log out of the site first.
  5. UIUC Students: Tag the link “ADV400E5” on delicious.com
  6. SU Students: Tag the link "IST400E5" on delicious.com

resources & examples

Wikipedia | Online encyclopedia that anyone can edit

Wikia.com | Collection of wikis dedicated to different subjects

Five Pillars of Wikipedia | An introduction to participating in the development of Wikipedia

List of sites using MediaWiki | Lists of sites of using the same software that Wikipedia uses

PBWiki | A free wiki hosting service

Wikidot | A free wiki hosting service

Wikispaces | A free wiki hosting service

Your Link Here | post any useful sites you found in the feedback forum for this page

response