Collaborating with wikis

I have found that wikis are invaluable for groups that are working together on a common project. Every April, the AIMS (Association of Independent Maryland Schools) Technology Committee, of which I am a member, hosts a Technology Leaders Retreat on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

For many years, we planned the event - keynotes, synergy sessions, calendar - using a hodgepodge of methods. Face to face meetings were held once a month, handwritten notes were kept and referred to in subsequent meetings. All information of use to the group was circulated via e-mail. Needless to say, this was not the most efficient method of planning a complex annual event.

About a year ago, our committee created a wiki on schoolcomputing.wikia.com to compile all of our ideas and to summarize discussion in our meetings. We refer often to the current year's wiki during our meeting - keeping it open on one laptop - and after meetings when there are updates regarding speakers, facilitators and the like.

The collaborative nature of the wiki has ultimately allowed a geographically dispersed group of 10 technology administrators to effectively plan a 3 day retreat for 135 educators without too much pain and suffering! Our wiki from last year's retreat can be found at http://schoolcomputing.wikia.com/wiki/AIMS_2008_Retreat