January 16, 2007 Kemp C. Scales – Armchair Chat SNA Wiki-System January 16, 2007 Kemp C. Scales – Armchair Chat

AGENDA Overview of the Wiki-System Common Problems Wiki-System Can Solve What SNA Members Can Do Demonstration on SNA Website: “The Gestation and Birth of a Wiki-Article”

The collective knowledge and experience of SNA members is our key asset and unique advantage. BUT: How do we effectively harness and use this knowledge and experience? Wiki-SNIT can help!

What is this “wiki” business? Despite its “geeky” connotations, “wiki” (short for “wiki wiki,” Hawaiian word for fast) is a simple concept. “A wiki is a website that allows the visitors themselves to easily add, remove, and otherwise edit and change available content . . . This ease of interaction and operation makes a wiki an effective tool for mass collaborative authoring.” [from Wikipeida]

What is the SNA Wiki-System? For our purposes, the wiki-system is a simple tool for tapping into the collective knowledge of SNA members in order to create high-quality SNA products collaboratively. It’s meant to “supplement, not supplant” individual authorship. By using our new SNA members’ website, members can work together to generate content for articles, newsletters, brochures, booklets, books . . . . Best of all - It’s FUN and it’s EASY!

Common Problems the Wiki-System can Solve Common Problem #1: “I have a great idea for an article, but I don’t like to write.” Before: Those ideas might never be used. Now: Wiki-SNIT can help! Just add your article idea (and bullet points, if you have them) to the website. Others can help flesh it out and edit it into a finished product.

Common Problems the Wiki-System can Solve Common Problem #2: “I have some great points, but not enough for a whole article.” Before: That article might never be written. Now: Wiki-SNIT can help! Add your points to existing wiki-articles or start a new wiki-article that others can add to. Remember, the wiki approach is a collaborative effort.

Common Problems the Wiki-System can Solve Common Problem #3: “I’ve written an article, but I’d like to have it checked by other SNA members before it gets distributed nationally.” Before: The article might sit in your computer unused. Now: Wiki-SNIT can help! Put your article in the “Peer Review” folder on the website for other members to add their comments and suggestions.

What Can SNA Members Do with the Wiki-System? Use it to gather ideas for articles. Collaborate on writing articles for “Exceptional Parent,” “The Voice,” etc. Develop synergy with the Marketing and Affiliations Committees to channel targeted articles to key referral sources. Expand the system to create SNA brochures, booklets, books….

What YOU Can Do #1: ADD ARTICLE IDEAS: Attended a conference, identified a cutting edge issue? Talked to a referral source, listened to her main concerns? Met with the leader of an affiliated organization, learned what their members want to know? Then add an article idea to the website!

What YOU Can Do #2: START AN ARTICLE: Then start a wiki-article! Do you have notes jotted down for an idea you like and want to run with? Do you have enough for an outline? A few pages? Then start a wiki-article!

What YOU Can Do Then add your content to a wiki-article! #3: ADD TO EXISTING ARTICLES: Have experience with the topic? Done some research on the topic? Have a different perspective on the topic? Learned something new about the topic? Then add your content to a wiki-article!

What YOU Can Do #4: EDIT ARTICLES: Do you find yourself correcting the grammar in a newspaper article you’re reading? Do you get a special thrill from eliminating unnecessary words in a sentence? Do you enjoy rearranging words in sentences, or sentences in paragraphs to clarify meaning? Do you want to learn more about a topic? Then try your hand at editing an article!

What You Can Do #5 HAVE FUN! Everyone has something valuable to contribute! Do what you most enjoy!

“The Gestation and Birth of a Wiki-Article” www.snamembers.com DEMONSTRATION “The Gestation and Birth of a Wiki-Article” www.snamembers.com