:'''The purpose of this "WIKI Article" is to help explain '''how promoting "online collaboration" through the use of WIKIs may help to <u>reduce </u> volunteer workload''', and to help build customized on-line databases for church-related activities'''. In turn, these databases can be used by the Westminster congregation, by the Orangeville community, and for used by the entire World.

:'''This article is based on this author's observations and professional experience when using online collaboration tools such as WIKIs'''.

==== YouTube Video ====

==== Written Concepts ====

====A Little History and Perspective====

:'''The concept of collaborating on-line is <u>not</u> new'''. Even the predecessor to the Internet ('''ARPAnet''') which was developed by the U.S. military in the 60's, created using computer networking as a system of networked computers connected by fast and complex communication networks used defensive counter-measure to discourage any a Soviet nuclear "first nuclear strike". Out of this system rose the '''MAD doctrine''' (Mutually Assured Destruction). This, in turn, led to assisted in the reduction of nuclear arms and via non-proliferation treaties.

:In the 70s and 80s, there was a need for nuclear and rocket scientists to collaborate in order to advance nuclear missile research. All These scientists needed a way see the "big picture" as opposed to only their own particular contribution. Since '''these scientists worked in research organizations (universities and colleges), this allowed other participants, such as instructors and students, had access to also use many of these those collaboration tools such as e-mail, and non-graphical web-browsers to access the World Wide Web'''.

:'''Ironically, this communication networking system which was created as a "defensive weapon", developed into an infrastructure to help to promote peace and to help "bring people together"'''.

:In Since the early 70s, computer programmers collaborated via computer networks to develop software applications. The '''open-source ''' collaborative model is considered to be the most cost-effective "benchmark model" of developing software. In fact, it has long been recognized that Linux is the largest on-line collaborative project in the World. '''If the new catch-phrase "Working in the Cloud" applies to storing documents and editing them in "cyberspace"within the Internet, then this author has been "Working in the Cloud" since 1998 (long before this "catch-phrase" was invented)...'''

[[Image:wikiProject.png|thumb|500px | '''Wikis can be used to document church projects'''. These can be used as "time capsules" providing information, reflection, and historical significance. '''Mind-Maps can be incorporated into the WIKI to show up-to-date status of project's progress'''.]]:'''This "need to connect" has extended beyond educational institutions, and into our daily lives:''' ::*'''Smart phones''', '''Blackberries''', '''tablets''', etc.::*'''Checking e-mail''' on a daily basis.::*'''Checking weather conditions''' or '''checking school cancellations''' on web-pages.::*'''Expectation (no No longer a luxury) , but rather an expectation, of wireless connectivity in public places''' (eg. McDonalds has now gone wireless).::*Feeling of '''"disconnection from World" ''' if Internet service is down'''.

[[Image:wikiMeeting.png|thumb|500px|'''Wiki Meetings can be held over longer periods of time, and allow busy individuals to contribute from the comfort of their own home'''. Minutes of those meetings would already by automatically be documented online(no note-taker required). Wikis can also be used to '''"better prepare meeting content or concerns" to help reduce face-to-face meeting time'''. ]]:'''Unfortunately, people are instinctively <u>hesitant</u> or <u>protective</u> when faced with exposing their work or contribution to the "public for editing".'''

:'''There are many factors that act as a natural barrier barriers to open on-line collaboration:'''

::'''Disconnection of Document generation Generation and editingEditing'''::: Documents involving word-processing, spreadsheets, and slide-shows are mainly edited "off-line", which '''requires more work downloading and uploading files'''. Although they may be posted to web-pages, '''those documents are not real "living documents"''', instead they represent a "one-way flow" of information. Also, those '''documents may usually become immediately "out-of-date"very quickly, until those documents are downloaded, editingre-edited, saved, and uploaded'''.

:::In my opinion, if I asked a random group of people '''what a WIKI was, eighty-five percent would respond, "What is a WIKI?"'''. On the other hand, '''if I asked that same group '''how many of them have used WikiPedia, eighty-five percent would respond, "Yes"'''. If I asked that same group '''how many people have added or edited content on a Wikepedia topic, <u>less than one tenth of one percent</u> would respond, "Yes"'''. 

:::''It is a fact that '''most people are hesitant to accept change''' (even if it will benefit them in the future)''.[[Image:wikiInstrucion.png|thumb|500px|'''WIKIs can be used to provide immediate up-to-date training procedures'''<br />(eg. for computer lab startup/shutdown) ]]

:::People may find that they don't have much to offer on the wiki, but participation can be simple such as editing spelling and grammar. '''Participation in a WIKI could be considered a true form of democracy, as opposed to web-pages''', (where the author can decide to post or delete comments). '''Churches are prime benefactors for on-line collaboration in order to support and build their congregation, "social outreach", and "social justice"'''.::'''Jotting notes with pen and pencilspencil'''

:::''Students today are '''learning how to collaborate in order to be successful in their future lives'''. This directive has been adopted into provincial school curriculum since this is the <u>skill</u> that business businesses and our society <u>demandsdemand</u> from our future citizens''. Unfortunately, older generations have not been conditioned exposed to avoid the advantages of open-collaboration, and remain working in more traditional "off-line" forms of collaboration.::'''Outdated TeachingMethods''':::The youth are more comfortable and adaptable with on-line collaboration. Unfortunately, if instructors fail to embrace newer technologies, they may impede the growth of the their students. If properly utilized and monitored, '''instructors could be "leading the students by example" to prepare them to collaborate in a proactive manner and while at the same time enforcing the classic concepts such as "critical thinking", "research", and "interpretationciting sources (both on-line and off-line)"'''.

:::'''Trying to own a collaborative idea or concept can limit its growth or success'''. When people mention that I should copyright the <br />[http://matrix.senecac.on.ca/~murray.saul/westminster/computerGuide_training.html "/Guide on the Side/"] Computer Lab resource, I immediately respond, ''''"that would immediately destroy what I have created"''''. I adopt the attitude, ''''"what you give usually will come back ten-fold"''''. Instead of limiting that resource only to the Westminster Computer Lab, it should be freely available to benefit the World. Many private interests are trying to compete to and control (what I consider) to be the next big wave which is online storage and document manipulation. Free software proponents such as '''Richard Stallman''' see the industry term '''"cloud computing"''' as nothing more than a '''"marketing gimmick"''' (Apple recently rolled-out its attempt called '''icloud''' was recently released from Apple). Many computer program developers have collaborated for decade<u>'''s'''</u> before the term "cloud computing" became fashionable...

====Hidden Opportunity Costs====[[Image:computerResource.png|thumb|500px|'''Since WIKI contents are accessible via the Internet, elements can be "woven" into a comprehensive and customized resource'''<br />(for example: a web-page). ]]

:On the other hand, computer tools (such as WIKIs to help promote on-line collaboration) can help increase the productivity and communication of its membership. This author is a BIG BELIEVER in '''"opportunity costs"'''. '''These hidden costs can from not embracing newer forms of online collaboration will "creep-up" and cause "friction" or and "drag" to impede church projectsor initiatives'''.

==="Unlock Those Chains": Collaborate Online===

:'''Here is a site to a free WIKI host called "WikiSpaces::''' [http://www.wikispaces.com/ http://www.wikispaces.com/] :Take advantage of the on-line features of this site to help to learn how to use a WIKI:

:Take advantage of the on-line features of this site to help to learn how to use a WIKI:''... ''No one will do the work for you''... No one wants to listen to "excuses"... Take the initiative... Learn how to learn...''

===Resist ::''...Take the Temptation to be Shy===initiative''...

:'''Contrary to general opinion, people don't mind having their WIKIs edited: they may even thank you!''' This author has created many WIKIs over a two year period. During that time <u>very very few</u> people have taken the time to edit those WIKIs. '''There is a mechanism that records WIKI <u>editing history</u> indicating both the edited content and username. The ability Learn how to see who editing the WIKI "levels the playing field"learn.'''. The WIKI owner can always revert to a previous editing session to restore the WIKI to a previous period...

===:'''Contrary to general opinion, people don't mind having their WIKIs edited: they may even thank you!''' This author has created many WIKIs over a two year period. During that time <u>very very few</u> people have taken the time to edit those WIKIs. '''There is a mechanism that records WIKI <u>editing history</u> indicating both the edited content and username. The ability to see who edits a WIKI "Reduce, Reuse, Recyclelevels the playing field"==='''. The WIKI owner can always revert to a previous editing session to restore the WIKI to a previous period...

:Once content is stored in WIKIs, '''it is amazing When allowing individuals the freedom to discover how many times that content can be reused'''. For exampleedit text at will, the Westminster Computer Lab resource [http://matrix.senecac.on.ca/~murray.saul/westminster/computerGuide_home.html /Guide on quality of the SideWIKI's content will naturally improve (most likely at a <u>rapid</] has many tutorials that are recycled WIKIs that were created months or years ago... This web-page and You-tube videos were created from scratch within a 4 week period. There is no way that this resource could have been created by one person without these on-line tools (especially WIKIsu> pace).'''

===="Reduce, Reuse, Recycle"==== :Once content is stored in WIKIs, '''it is amazing in how many ways that content can be reused'''. For example, the Westminster Computer Lab resource [http://matrix.senecac.on.ca/~murray.saul/westminster/computerGuide_home.html /Guide on the Side/] has many tutorials that are recycled WIKIs (created over a series of months / years). This web-page resource was created from scratch within a 4 week period weaving-in existing WIKIs. It would have been IMPOSSIBLE for this resource to have been created within 4 weeks by one person without these on-line collaborative tools (especially WIKIs).  ===="Water Seeks its Own Level"==== :'''This author is not expecting on-line collaborative to spark an immediate "revolution"''', but rather to serve as an effective tool to help "lighten the load" of church volunteers. Although not all volunteers may use this on-line tool immediately, it is possible that a few volunteers will start to use WIKIs. '''When others individuals view the success and time-saving benefit of on-line collaboration, their attitude towards on-line collaboration will probably change'''.   ====Baby Steps: Google Docs==== :Although using Wikis are easy, people could start to share documents online via '''Google Docs'''. This is a free service to allow individuals to share their documents such as '''word-processing''', '''spreadsheets''' and '''presentations''' with other groups, or to anyone via the Internet. The user can decide if the users can view or edit the document. Forms can be created to allow a user to embed into webpages, blogs or other social media to automatically update online documents. :Here is an example of an '''Issue Ticketing system''' that I created to act as a "help desk" for a computer lab: [ [http://matrix.senecac.on.ca/~murray.saul/westminster/computerGuide_form.html Issue Ticketing System] ] :If organisations are already using ''Google Calendar'', then ''Google Docs'' possibly is the next logic step towards online collaboration. :Here is a link to the resource: [ [http://www.google.com/google-d-s/b1.html http://www.google.com/google-d-s/b1.html ] ]

===Where Do We Stand?="An Immediate Success"==

:'''Investing in WIKIs has allowed me this author not only to generate open-source learning content for Westminster United Church, but for anyone in the World that has a need for those these learning materials'''.

:Whether or not Westminster United Church embraces on-line collaboration, individuals from around Many WIKIs that were created for the World are already benefiting from this selfchurch have generated thousands of visits within a short period of time. The computer lab resource's You-directed learning resource. By taking the time to freely participate and contribute onTube video statistics indicate an immediate need for open-line, it has already been a resounding success..source application training.

</td><td>[[Image:YouTubeStats1.png|thumb|300px200px|The '''"File and Folder Management"''' YouTube video tutorial has been viewed in '''Mexico''', '''Europe''', and '''Africa''' ]]</td><td>[[Image:youTubeStats2.png|thumb|400px200px|The '''"Freemind Mind-Mapping"''' YouTube video tutorial has been viewed in '''South America''' and in the '''Middle East''' ]]</td>