Janet Saman's ePortfolio
Principles, Theories and Models Reflection
Artifact: Literature Review: Wikis in the Corporate World from ED TEC 690
Literature Review
Project Description / Situation:
At the time we were assigned this project in 690 (Spring 2008), my company was just beginning to start work on implementing a corporate wiki and I was assigned as the Instructional Designer who would train our staff on how to use it. So, my desire to choose Wikis in the Corporate World as a topic served a double purpose for me.
Outcome:
Although wikis were already in widespread use in the public sector, the research I gathered indicated that they were just starting to be used in the corporate world. However, it was predicted that by 2009, 50% of corporations would be using some type of wiki technology (Gartner, 2005 as quoted by Kenney, 2008).
Corporations use wiki technology for training, collaboration, storing documents and customer service. As a collaboration tool, employees from different departments and locations can use wikis to exchange ideas and create an improved process for completing a project, assignment or task. As a training tool, wikis can serve as a knowledge management repository, or work in association with a learning management system. Training content can be stored in a central location for easy retrieval by users and may even be customized based on job function or work experience.
The use of wikis is a practical example of the Iterative Design Model, which according to InstructionalDesign.org, is “an approach of incrementally developing and refining a design based on feedback and evaluation. Iterative design can apply to a learning experience, the creation of media, or the development of learning systems.” Wikis are “a natural repository for iterative design. The 'Page History' facility allows tracking back to prior versions. Modifications are mostly incremental, and leave substantial parts of the text unchanged.”
Wikis help companies organize a large volume of data in a single source so employees won’t have to access different databases. They allow people to exchange ideas and submit feedback on documented items, while always maintaining the original and providing strict version control. Wikis also alleviate the number of emails, conference calls and meetings between individuals in a group.
Challenges:
The main challenge I had when writing this literature review was that there was very little research in the field on corporate wikis. It was such new technology at the time of my writing (just 2 years ago) that my references were limited to a few magazine articles, blogs and one in-depth report on the subject. Fortunately, the material that I did find was very specific – people who had actually implemented wiki technology in their own workplace provided first-hand insight into the struggles and successes.
Growth:
The research I gathered for my literature review helped me understand some of the challenges companies face when implementing new technology like this. I was able to use what I learned and contribute a greater role to my project team. It also helped me design and develop training that was useful to my audience. Two years later, I continue to be a contributing member of the project team responsible for maintaining our corporate wiki, which we call the Knowledge Exchange.
Kenney, B. (2008, January 25). Seven Strategies for Implementing a Successful Corporate Wiki. Industry Week. Retrieved February 23, 2008, from:
http://www.industryweek.com/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=15682
Literature Review
Project Description / Situation:
At the time we were assigned this project in 690 (Spring 2008), my company was just beginning to start work on implementing a corporate wiki and I was assigned as the Instructional Designer who would train our staff on how to use it. So, my desire to choose Wikis in the Corporate World as a topic served a double purpose for me.
Outcome:
Although wikis were already in widespread use in the public sector, the research I gathered indicated that they were just starting to be used in the corporate world. However, it was predicted that by 2009, 50% of corporations would be using some type of wiki technology (Gartner, 2005 as quoted by Kenney, 2008).
Corporations use wiki technology for training, collaboration, storing documents and customer service. As a collaboration tool, employees from different departments and locations can use wikis to exchange ideas and create an improved process for completing a project, assignment or task. As a training tool, wikis can serve as a knowledge management repository, or work in association with a learning management system. Training content can be stored in a central location for easy retrieval by users and may even be customized based on job function or work experience.
The use of wikis is a practical example of the Iterative Design Model, which according to InstructionalDesign.org, is “an approach of incrementally developing and refining a design based on feedback and evaluation. Iterative design can apply to a learning experience, the creation of media, or the development of learning systems.” Wikis are “a natural repository for iterative design. The 'Page History' facility allows tracking back to prior versions. Modifications are mostly incremental, and leave substantial parts of the text unchanged.”
Wikis help companies organize a large volume of data in a single source so employees won’t have to access different databases. They allow people to exchange ideas and submit feedback on documented items, while always maintaining the original and providing strict version control. Wikis also alleviate the number of emails, conference calls and meetings between individuals in a group.
Challenges:
The main challenge I had when writing this literature review was that there was very little research in the field on corporate wikis. It was such new technology at the time of my writing (just 2 years ago) that my references were limited to a few magazine articles, blogs and one in-depth report on the subject. Fortunately, the material that I did find was very specific – people who had actually implemented wiki technology in their own workplace provided first-hand insight into the struggles and successes.
Growth:
The research I gathered for my literature review helped me understand some of the challenges companies face when implementing new technology like this. I was able to use what I learned and contribute a greater role to my project team. It also helped me design and develop training that was useful to my audience. Two years later, I continue to be a contributing member of the project team responsible for maintaining our corporate wiki, which we call the Knowledge Exchange.
Kenney, B. (2008, January 25). Seven Strategies for Implementing a Successful Corporate Wiki. Industry Week. Retrieved February 23, 2008, from:
http://www.industryweek.com/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=15682
Copyright © 2010 by Janet L. Saman for the Department of Educational Technology at San Diego State University. All Rights Reserved.
