Week 5 Assignment:Wikis

Introduction
Wikipedia describes a wiki as a wiki is a web application designed to allow multiple authors to add, remove, and edit content. The multiple author capability of wikis makes them effective tools for mass collaborative authoring.

Wikis
I’m disappointed with AskDr Wiki (a medical wiki with the goal of creating a collective online memory for physicians, nurses and medical students). From the title of the Wiki I would expect medical questions followed by answers but there was limited information, although the Wiki appears to be in the development stage. Another aspect of concern is that anyone can add to the Wiki so the information should be treated with caution.

http://quitsmoking.wikia.com/wiki/Quit_Smoking This wiki is for anyone trying to quit smoking, and for those who have already succeeded, to share their experiences, advice, information, stories, and opinions. It contains some useful general information, for example, on ‘addiction’. However, other parts of the Wiki need further information, for example, the section ‘benefits of quitting’ is scarce.

Conclusion
Having looked at a number of Wikis I’m a little concerned as to their quality. However, I do feel that they have a place as a communication tool. If I was to apply a wiki at BWH I think I’d try it out on the staff first of all and then introduce it to a small user group. I’m unsure about a topic for a wiki as yet but am sure my ideas will come as the course and my experience progress.