Michael Idinopolous suggests 3 ways to build a participatory knowledgebase using a wiki:

1. Structure by Topic

The whole point of the wiki is its ability to bring people together and connect dots across organizational silos. That won’t happen if you structure the wiki around those very silos.

Here, he argues the wiki shouldn’t mimic the existing organizational structure because that won’t help break down information silos.

I agree with the principle of using the wiki to encourage new connections across the organization, but it does need to start with some resemblance of the existing organizational structure. That gives people confidence in using it. [Read more]

Using Wiki in Education, the book, is now available as a downloadable PDF and Paperback at Lulu.com!

The PDF is available for $19, the same price as online access at Wikiineducation.com, and now there’s an all new option:

Paperback
Take it with you, keep it on your desk next to Wikipatterns, or give it to a friend. Whether you’re using a wiki in your teaching, research, committee work, curriculum planning, or writing a grant proposal, Using Wiki in Education offers advice and examples for making the most of your wiki use. The paperback is available for $24.95.

If you’ve already purchased access to Using Wiki in Education, simply log in to Wikiineducation.com to download a free PDF copy of the full book.

A “Science Fair” is a great way for people using wikis to get together - regardless of what they work on - and share how they work:

In a post on improving cognitive ability through collaboration, Dennis McDonald makes this point:

When you think about all the pressures people have to stay within the “comfort zones” of professional or disciplinary communities, though, there are many situations where going outside is actively or passively discouraged.

Does your organization (or discipline) encourage or discourage you to directly go to others with whom you want to collaborate? [Read more]