Wiki simply explained
Imagine entering a huge room where every visitor can not only read what is written on the walls, but also has the freedom to add, change or improve something themselves. It's basically a wiki - a digital, collaborative space miracle! It's like a living book that's never finished because everyone can contribute. Whether you're an expert or a novice, every voice counts in a wiki. It's like a big brainstorming session where knowledge and ideas flow together from everywhere.
Background information
A wiki is a type of website that allows users not only to read content, but also to edit and change it directly in the browser. This flexibility makes wikis a powerful tool for collaborative writing and e-collaboration. The term "wiki" comes from the Hawaiian language and means "fast", alluding to the quick and easy editing of content.
The best known applicationApplications are software tools that help us with everyday and specific tasks. of a wiki is the online encyclopedia Wikipedia, which is based on the wiki software MediaWiki. But wikis are also used in many other areas, such as in companies for knowledge management or in educational institutions for collaborative learning projects. A wiki consists of individual pages written in a simplified markup language called wikitext. These pages can be edited and published with just a few clicks.
A key feature of wikis is the collective intelligence that results from the collaborative work of many authors. This is made possible by a simplified content management system, the so-called wiki software or wiki engine. Another important feature is version management, which makes it possible to restore previous versions of a page in the event of errors or vandalism.
Wikis can be publicly accessible on the World Wide Web or used in local networks for specific user groups. They often have a modular structure and offer programming interfaces for individual customization. Most wiki systems are available as free software, which further promotes their distribution and adaptability.
Use of wikis in companies and organizations
In the business world, wikis are increasingly being used as part of knowledge management. They serve as platforms for internal communication and collaboration by enabling employees to efficiently share and organize knowledge and information. In companies, wikis enable improved project collaboration by serving as a central point of contact for project information, documentation and best practices. They promote transparency and the exchange of knowledge across departmental boundaries and thus support the corporate culture of open communication.
Wikis in the education sector
In the education sector, wikis play an important role in promoting collaborative learning methods. They enable pupils and students to work together on projects, share knowledge and learn from the contributions of others. Teachers use wikis to organize teaching materials and give students an active role in the learning process. By using wikis in the classroom, students can develop important skills such as critical thinking, teamwork and digital literacy.
The best-known application of a wiki is the online encyclopaedia Wikipedia, which is based on the wiki software MediaWiki. However, wikis are also used in many other areas. A wiki consists of individual pages that are written in a simplified markup language, the wikitext. These pages can be edited and published with just a few clicks.
A key feature of wikis is the collective intelligence that results from the collaborative work of many authors. This is made possible by a simplified content management system, the so-called wiki software or wiki engine. Another important feature is version management, which makes it possible to restore previous versions of a page in the event of errors or vandalism.
Wikis can be publicly accessible on the World Wide Web or used in local networks for specific user groups. They often have a modular structure and offer programming interfaces for individual customization. Most wiki systems are available as free software, which further promotes their distribution and adaptability.