LIS 9763

Wikis are, by definition, great tools for collaboration.  I just read an article called Old is Gold: Integrating older workers in CSCW. (see bottom for citation) CSCW is “computer supported cooperative work”.  An example of a CSCW system is a wiki.  The article was actually about making these systems more usable for older workers.  What I found interesting, and relevant to this coure, is the reasons for why this is so important. 

The first reason was that the asynchronous backchannel allows workers to work at their own pace and to write and edit their own work while reflecting on the work of others. 
Another point it made was that wikis are an important medium for transferring tacit knowledge.  Tacit knowledge is usually transferred and received in watercooler discussions that are not recorded.  If the same sorts of discussions were recorded on a wiki, the content would be preserved as would access to the people involved in its transferral (as long as they were still around).

The article suggests that using a wiki creates a strong group culture and a visible group history.  It warns that a design that gives precedence to group dynamics may result in lower productivity but if groups do not communicate they may not share knowledge and create relationships.

My point is wikis can be used for patrons to exchange knowledge and for libraries to inform patrons of various topics like we saw in this week’s case studies.  They can also be used as an in-house tool for apprenticeship and mentorship.  New employees could be partnered with veteran employees and share information.  New employees could share new ideas coming out of library schools and the veteran employees could impart wisdom and experienced problem solving solutions.  Such a wiki would also be useful for other employees later on who could read the wiki, comment and reflect on what was said in it. 

The article warns of the possibilities of problems including miscommunication, misinterpretation without verbal clarification, reluctance to share, and overuse for credit.
 
Convertino, G., Farooq, U., Rosson, M.B., Carroll, J. M. (2005). Old is Gold: Integrating Older      Workers in CSCW. Proceedings of the 38th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences.   Available through Western Libraries "Portal" Database.