What is a Wiki?

Renee Fountain (2005) describes a wiki as “a collection of web pages that can be edited by anyone” and “a freely expandable collection of interlinked web pages… a database, where each page is easily edited by any user….” (Leuf & Cunningham, 2001, cited in Fountain).

Fountain (2005) notes that all wikis are works in progress; anyone can rewrite, edit, or entirely delete their own and others’ work. Wikis are subject to spam and abuse. However, the technology also makes page management extremely simple. The administrator receives an email notification of every edit. Previous page versions are stored and can easily be retrieved. The anonymous authors of “Why Wiki Works” note, “Wiki pages represent consensus because it's much easier to Delete Insults and remove Wiki Spam than indulge them. What remains generates new ideas by the iterative integration of multiple points of view.” In addition, they claim, “People take time to think, sometimes days or weeks, before they follow up some edit. So what people write is often well-considered.” Fountain (2005) describes wikis as particularly useful for communities of practice engaged in progressive problem-solving and knowledge-building over time.

Anonymous. (n.d.). http://c2.com/cgi/wiki?WhyWikiWorks

Fountain, R. (2005). Wiki Pedagogy. Retrieved online July 6, 2006 at http://www.profetic.org:16080/dossiers/dossier_imprimer.php3?id_rubrique=110