13,420
edits
Changes
no edit summary
== Purpose ==
:The purpose of this "WIKI Article" is to explain '''how promoting "online collaboration" through the use of WIKIs may help to <u>reduce</u> volunteer workload, and to help build 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.
==The Importance of Collaborating Online==
==== YouTube Video ====
: '''If you want to see a YouTube video discussing WIKIs, here is a link: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dnL00TdmLY 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 <u>not</u> new'''. Even the predecessor to the Internet ('''ARPAnet''') was developed by the U.S. military in the 60's using computer networking as a defensive counter-measure to discourage a Soviet nuclear "first strike". Out of this system rose the '''MAD doctrine''' (Mutually Assured Destruction). This, in turn, assisted in the reduction of nuclear arms via non-proliferation treaties.
: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 progresprogress'''s.]]
:'''This "need to connect" has extended beyond educational institutions, and into our daily lives:'''
===The Wrong "Ties That Bind"===
[[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 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 "public editing".'''
::'''Fear of Participation'''
:::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'''
:::''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 <u>skill</u> that businesses and our society <u>demand</u> from our future citizens''. Unfortunately, older generations have not been exposed to 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)"'''.
::'''Private Interests'''
:::'''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 and control 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'''). 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)'''. ]]
:'''Westminster United Church can survive without WIKIs'''. Technical aspects of this church (in terms of computers) only make up tiny elements of what the church does. In reality, it is the <u>contribution</u> of the church <u>members</u> and <u>volunteers</u> that keep the church operating.
:'''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, enthusiasm, and coordination among church members are crucial to its success'''.
:'''"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/ http://www.wikispaces.com/]
: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...'':
::''...No one will do the work for you''...
::''...No one wants to listen to "excuses"''... ::''...Take the initiative''... ::''...Learn how to learn.'' ====Resist the Temptation to be Shy====
:'''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 "levels the playing field"'''. The WIKI owner can always revert to a previous editing session to restore the WIKI to a previous period...
===="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 ] ]
<tr valign="top">
<td>
:Many WIKIs that were created for the church have generated thousands of visits within a short period of time. The computer lab resource's You-Tube video statistics indicate an immediate need for open-source application training.
:Many WIKIs that I Within two weeks from creating instructional YouTube videos, interest in some of these training resources have created have generated thousands of visits within a short period of time. The computer lab resourcebeen noted from the '''United States''', '''Europe''', '''Mexico''', '''South America''', '''Africa''', and the '''Middle East'''s You-Tube video statistics indicate an immediate need for open-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>
</tr>
</table>
[[Image:youTuveStats3.png|thumb|400px200px|right|The '''Pitivi Non Linear Video Editor''' tutorial has been viewed in the '''United States''', '''South America''', '''United Kingdom''', '''France''', and '''Africa'''. ]]:Within two weeks from creating instructional YouTube videos, interest in some of these training resources have been noted from the '''United States''', '''Europe''', '''Mexico''', '''South America''', '''Africa''', and the '''Middle East'''.
:'''Whether or not Westminster United Church embraces on-line collaboration, individuals from around the World are already benefiting from this self-directed learning resource'''. By taking the time to freely participate and contribute on-line, this online resource has already been a success within two weeks of its creation... that is how quickly things can happen in "Cyberspace" when using the correct online tools... this isn't "the future"... this is the "here and now"... this is the reality...
