In JB #4520, good new-fashioned Social Media, we talked about Wikis.

If you’re like me, you think you know enough about Wikis to give the silent-Ahh-yes-you’re exactly-right nod but not enough to actually say much outside of that nod.  Perhaps Wikis have something to do with that tiny site known as Wikipedia or the Wet Paint site my PR group used a couple years ago. Hmm…

Wikis are great sources to manage group projects and improve communication. Now I wonder why the heck I didn’t consider using them sooner, especially now that it’s the last semester of my senior year!

What is a Wiki?

Who should use Wikis?

People who

A) Are managing group projects and events.

B) Need to communicate with everyone but want better interaction than conference calls and mass e-mails.

C) Want an archive of information that is open to each member of the group to change as necessary.

Case-in-Point

I’m mentally kicking myself for not using a Wiki as we were plannning the OSU JB Communications Networking Expo. Throughout the planning process we struggled to find a medium that would work.

Facebook: Created a group to post information on discussion boards, the wall and message the team.

Positives  – We knew what everyone on the team looked like from profile pictures. Otherwise it was mostly…

Negatives – Members typically didn’t post any information on the discussion board, it didn’t offer an avenue for all team members to update each other and members rarely communicated progress.

Basic e-mail: As the chair, I regularly sent e-mail updates about meetings, team assignments and progress.

Positives – Team members were well informed about what was going on and a few maintained regular communication that way.

Negatives – Didn’t provide an avenue for group discussion, not all team members responded and updated group on progress, information primarily came from one source and information wasn’t archived in one central location for group access.

See why I have scuff marks from frustration?

Thank goodness I learned more about Wikis now – instead of years later! Also, this site has been really helpful for my many, I’m-not-raising-my-hand questions.

What about you? Anything that you’ve considered (or have) used Wikis for?