Using Wikis

What is a Wiki?
A wiki is a webpage that allows open and collaborative content editing.

What is the purpose of Wiki?
To collaboratively build documents, edit documents, and share ideas with other wiki users.

Wikis will allow you to share and edit:
Typed text, photos, charts, videos, links, and will allow you to attach a file.

Table of Contents:
1. Setting up your wiki group homepage
2. How to add a wiki page
3. How to edit a wiki page
4. Add comments to wiki pages
5. Attaching documents and links
6. Creating a link to a wiki page
7. Adding images
8. Creating a chart
9. Embedding a video file from your computer
10. Embedding a YouTube video









1.Setting Up Your Wiki Group Homepage

1.Click on the Wiki tab located in blackboard on the left side menu.


2.Locate and click on your pre-assigned wiki group. If you do not know your wiki group or your
group does not appear, please contact your instructor.



3.At the top of the page you will see that the message states that you have not yet created a
wiki home page. You are now immediately prompted to create a home page for the group. Type
the name in the box.



4.Click submit when finished.

5.Your group home page can be modified to include anything your group chooses. This could act
as a page to check in with other group members and let them know what has/hasn't been
completed on the project. Remember that this wiki page can be viewed and edited by your
peers within your group and it is visible to your instructor. Below is an example of what may be
included on this page.


2.How To Add A Wiki Page

1.Create a Wiki page by clicking on the Create Wiki Page button in the top left corner of the
screen


2.Create a title for your page. This is where you can begin to create structure within your wiki.
For example: If you are completing a group project where each person is assigned to a specific
task, you may consider creating a page for each separate portion of the assignment. The
example below is a page created for the introduction of a written assignment. If you will be
creating a PowerPoint presentation at the end of the assignment you may consider creating a
page for each slide.



3.When you are finished naming your wiki page, click submit


4.You may view information about the wiki here













3.How To Edit A Wiki Page

1.Chose the wiki page you want to edit and click the edit wiki content icon


2.Now you have the option to add content or edit any content on the page.


3.Click submit when all changes have been made. Content is automatically saved after clicking
submit.






4.Add Comments To Wiki Pages
You may want to add a comment to a group members wiki page. There are times when adding
a new wiki page or editing a page is not necessary. Instead, you may need to add a comment.
You can ask a question or exchange communication informally without editing the text.

1.Click on the Add Comment icon


2.Type your comment in the text box.





3.Click Add


4.View the comment by clicking on the comments tab


5.The comment will appear in this display box.












5.Attaching Documents And Links
You may need to share documents with other group members.
For example: a PowerPoint presentation, an excel document, or a pdf. Follow these steps.

1.After selecting a wiki page to edit, click on the paperclip icon


2.The following window will open. Click browse my computer for any documents you want to
add from your computer.











OR add a URL (link to a webpage).


3.Click submit


4.Click on the link to open the document



6.Creating A Link To A Wiki Page
If you are working within a wiki page and need to link the viewer to a different wiki page, there is
a short cut, follow these steps.

1.Click the wiki icon on the tools menu


2.The following menu will appear









3.Select the wiki page you want viewers to be linked to


4.Name the wiki page link




5.Click submit


6.The link will appear in the edited text. Users can now click on the link and navigate to a
separate wiki page.










7.Adding Images
To add images to your wiki complete the following steps.

1.When editing the wiki page, click the image icon


2.Browse my computer for images to add


3.Select the image you want to add to your wiki doc




4.The new image has now been added to your wiki












8.Creating A Chart
To add charts or tables to your wiki complete the following steps.

1.When editing the wiki page, click the chart icon


2.Edit the column settings by entering the number of rows or columns, then click insert


3.The chart has now been added to the wiki doc

9.Embedding A Video File From Your Computer
If you are embedding a video file that exists on your computer, follow these steps.

1.When editing the wiki page, click the video icon


2.Browse your computer for the video file


3.Select the video file to insert



4.Your video clip will take time to load. (If your clip is long you may consider publishing the
video to your YouTube account, as download times can be lengthy when uploading a file from
your computer).





















10.Embedding A YouTube Video
If you are embedding a YouTube video, SlideShare presentation, or Flickr photos complete the
following steps.

1.When editing the wiki page, click the mashups icon and select the appropriate mashup ex:
YouTube, SlideShare, or Flickr


2.Search for the media you want to include

3.Select media to include


4.Chose viewer settings and click submit


5.The video thumbnail will appear on your wiki page