Wikis

Background

A wiki is a collaborative website that allows users to add, delete, and edit content via the Web browser on a networked computer. What distinguishes wikis from other programs, such as word processing software, is that the documents remain available for ongoing editing by those who have membership to the wiki. Wiki membership can be of any size – from small groups and classrooms, to schools, communities, and the entire world. Wikipedia, the well-known online encyclopedia, popularized both wiki technology and the idea of collaborative writing. Wikis are primarily used for the co-construction of text-based documents, which are referred to as wiki pages. Wikis can also include other types of media; even the most basic and freely available wiki software enables users to embed videos, links, and images within the wiki. Certain commercial wikis, such as those used in business and industry, have increased functionality including group calendars, advanced search capabilities, and...