Wikispaces is very easy to use and the inclusion of videos
was so simple I thought it had to be some sort of trap. Wikipedia (I am nervous even typing that word
in an academic setting)…is one long stream of consciousness about a particular
subject while Wikispaces allows you divide the information up by pages. This feature is really a double-edged sword.
On one hand it makes the information easier to divide, but on the other hand it
requires descriptive labeling and more aforethought.
I think that libraries should avail themselves of this
technology simply because it is so easy to use. You can have a video and images
posted in a manner of seconds using the widgets and before you know it, your
library has a web presence that is easy to update and modify. One problem with Wikis is that many people
have the perception that the information on them is somehow tainted and would
discourage children from using them as sources of information. While this is a valid concern in the academic
setting, I feel for simple information such as library hours or the dates of
upcoming events, a Wiki is a great tool.
The fact that this technology is simple, free, has some name
recognition, and has little-to-no learning curve and allows for group design
and collaboration make Wikispaces a powerful tool in the hands of a librarian
with a free lunch hour.
We had to use this
Web 2.0 technology in a group context and this is where Wikispaces shines. I
was able to make my edits and additions while the other members of my group
were able to make theirs. In order for
libraries to stay current and have a powerful web presence they need to have
more than one person using the technologies and updating the information; this
is something that Wikispaces makes easy and secure. However, I am still nervous about mentioning
Wikipedia since I spent four years as an undergrad hearing about how evil it
was.
I have also heard quite a few negative comments about Wikipedia. But I think that the site that we used to create our Wiki offers a different perspective and that is you can create almost anything with it. I think it can be a tool that can be used by a librarians or a academic instructor to provide or introduce students to different topics for learning. Of course there is always the fear as to the information being valid. But I think if you use if personally to be shared for learning and you are the one teaching and no else is adding or deleting information. The information that you are adding can only be as true as the author of the page. So, it's a thing of integrity. I like the idea of adding reference pages, other resources as a way to provide credibility to what is being published
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