Wiki Collaboration at Westminster?

Debbie (CE Instructor), Sandra (Minister) and Murray (AVIT volunteer) are "ready-to-roll" to learn more about the Westminster Computer Lab!!!

Purpose

The purpose of this "WIKI Article" is to help explain how promoting "online collaboration" through the use of WIKIs may help reduce volunteer workload, and build a customized online database for church volunteering and operational activities. In turn, this on-line databaes can be used for the Westminster congregation,the Orangeville community, and the entire World.

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

The Importance of Collaborating Online

YouTube Video

If you want to see a YouTube video discussing WIKIs, here is a link to a customized YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dnL00TdmLY

Written Concepts

Below are the written concepts (in case you prefer to have a printout of these concepts or suggestions):

A Little History and Perspective

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

In the 70s and 80s, there was a need for nuclear and rocket scientist to collaborate in order to advance nuclear missile research. All scientists needed a way see the "big picture" as opposed to only their own particular contribution. Since these scientists worked in research organizations like universities and colleges, this allowed other participants, such as instructors and students, to also use many of these collaboration tools such as e-mail, and web-browsers accessing 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 helping to "bring people together".

That is what I would call an unexpected but highly pleasant side-effect!  :)

In the 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", then this author has been "Working in the Cloud" since 1998 (long before this "phrase" was invented)...

This need to "connect" has now extended from educational institutions into our homes and our everyday 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 longer luxury) of wireless connectivity in public places (eg. McDonalds has now gone wireless)
• Feeling of "disconnection from World" if Internet service is down

This need to connect is further validated by the quick growth of social media applications such as:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Myspace
• Angie's List
• Craig's List
• Freecycle
• Ebay
• etc...

This trend will not only continue, but rather accelerate as our increased need for purposeful "connection" grows.

Although these tools are very useful, they are limited in generating large volumes of data that can be edited by any viewer (transparency).

The WIKI supports both "data storage" and "open editing" which can be used to support "community-building".

Unfortunately, people are instinctively hesitant or protective when faced with exposing their work or contribution to the public for editing.

The Wrong "Ties That Bind"

Unfortunately, people are instinctively hesitant or protective when faced with exposing their work or contribution to the public for editing.

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

E-mail Dependence

Although very useful, e-mail is not the best method for on-line collaboration.

Not all Social Media Works in the Same Manner

For example, Facebook and Twitter are useful for posting messages and keeping in touch with friends and events,
but they lack the ability to create and collectively edit ideas and document content in a transparent manner.

Disconnection of Document generation and editing

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 become immediately "out-of-date", until those documents are downloaded, editing, saved, and uploaded.

Inconsistent Perceptions

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, less than a tenth of a percent would respond "Yes".

In fact, without consciously knowing it, we have been conditioned to avoid on-line collaboration:

Fear of Change

It is a fact that most people are hesitant to accept change (even if it will benefit them in the future).

Fear of Commitment (especially time)

Time-strapped individuals do not treat this "learning curve" in on-line collaboration as an investment that will reduce volunteer time (especially when applied to database building and remote time-flexible meetings).

Fear of Participation

People may find that they don't have much to offer on the wiki, but participation can be simple like 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 pencils

WIKIs did not exist when many of us were educated.

On-line Collaboration is Cheating

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 skill that business and our society demands from our future citizens. Unfortunately, older generations have been conditioned to avoid open-collaboration.

Outdated Teaching

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 students. If properly utilized and monitored, instructors could be "leading the students by example" to prepare them to collaborate in a proactive manner and enforcing the classic concepts such as "critical thinking", "research", and "interpretation".

Private Interests

Trying to own a collaborative idea or concept can limit its growth or success. When people mention that I should copyright the "/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 for the World to benefit. Many private interests are trying to compete to 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" (icloud was recently released from Apple). Many computer program developers have collaborated for decades before the term "cloud computing" became fashionable...

Hidden Opportunity Costs

Westminster United Church can survive without WIKIs. Technical aspects of this church (in terms of computers) only makes up a tiny elements of what the church does. In reality, it is the contribution of the church members and volunteers that keep the church operating.

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 "creep-up" that acts as "friction" to slow-down the smooth operation of projects and communication.

A picture is worth a thousand words: http://www.wikinomics.com/blog/index.php/2008/03/26/wiki-collaboration-leads-to-happiness/

"Unlock Those Chains": Collaborate Online

Eric S. Raymond, the author of the book "The Cathedral and the Bazaar", compares on-line collaboration for computer software development as a church bazaar, where the setup is not very fancy, but the work and the coordination of its members are key to its success. The same thing could be said about promotion efficient collaboration for any project associated with Westminster United Church.

"Where can I even begin to learn about WIKIs?"

"Simple:" There are many computer servers on the Internet that offer free hosting for WIKIs.

Here is a site to a free WIKI host called WikiSpaces: http://www.wikispaces.com/

Take advantage of the on-line features of this site to help to learn how to use a WIKI...

Resist the Temptation to be Shy

Contrary to general opinion, people don't mind having their WIKIs edited - they may even thank you! The author has created many many WIKIs over a two year period. During that time very few people (bordering on "non-existent") have edited those WIKIs. Even if people edit the WIKIs, there is a mechanism that records WIKI history (and user that contributed to editing change), and a mechanism for the WIKI owner to revert to a previous editing session...

By allowing many individuals the freedom to edit text will accelerate the quality of the article, tutorial, etc...

"Reduce, Reuse, Recycle"

Once content is stored in WIKIs, it is amazing to discover how many times the content can be reused. For example, the Westminster Computer Lab resource /Guide on the Side/ 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 (such as WIKIs).

"Water Seeks its Own Level"

This author is not expecting this on-line collaborative resource to be "revolutionary", but as an effective tool to help "lighten the load". Although not all volunteers may not use this on-line tool, it is possible that a few volunteers start to use the tools. When others see the success and time-saving features of on-line collaboration, they may be inclined to start learning how to use the tool...

Has It Been Successful? In this author's opinion: "Yes, slowly but surely..." Investing in WIKIs has allowed me not only to generate open-source learning content for Westminster United Church, but for anyone in the World that has a need for those materials. Many WIKIs that I have created have generated thousands of visits within a short period of time. You-Tube statistics indicate an immediate need for open-source application training. A few immediate areas that seem to be interested are the United States, Africa, and the Middle East. By investing in these type of technologies, I am happy it has become a success because I see not only the church using the Computer Lab technology, but the World taking an active interest in this Computer Lab... Sincerely, Murray Saul June 30, 2011

Viewed in South America and Africa

Viewed in South America and Middle East

Additional Resources

Here are some resources to assist the user using WIKIs:

• Wikispaces: Free WIKI Provider