What is a wiki?

Simply put, a wiki is software that allows multiple users to quickly create, edit and link together web pages. Wikis usually use special characters, such as [[double brackets]] to specify which words or phrases will link to other pages. While typing, a user can create links to pages that do not yet exist by using these special characters. The new page will automatically be created when you or another wiki user clicks the link.

The most widely known wiki is Wikipedia. The articles in this encyclopedia can be edited by anyone and every revision is saved. These articles are often linked together.

NUWiki is a wiki developed by NU Academic Technologies for use within the Course Management System at Northwestern University. Unlike a traditional wiki which is open to all visitors, NUWiki pages are only accessible to members of the course site in which it was created. Students and instructors alike can use NUWiki to create articles, documents, case studies or reports collaboratively. NUWiki keeps a history of all additions, edits and deletions. This allows instructors and students to view each others contributions, as well as revert to previous versions of pages.

For full details about NUWiki, click here.

What is a blog?

A blog—actually short for “Web log”—is a chronological collection of personal comments and links displayed online. It is quick and easy to create, allowing users to enter posts into the application without having to code in HTML, and it can be used from anywhere where there is an Internet connection. While it was first used as a means of publishing personal diaries online, blogging has come to be respected through its other areas of application—from editorials to media publications to simply being a general community communication tool.

What is NUBlog?

NUBlog is a service for students and faculty that is accessible through Northwestern's Course Management System, Blackboard. It offers faculty and students a convenient way to share their reflections on course topics in and out of the classroom.

NUBlog's features include blog skins, calendar display, commenting, trackbacks, and making the blog open to the world complete with blog or entry urls. Participants may attach key words to blog entries and allow display of entries based on a key word or phrase.

When a course blog is enabled, each enrolled student has access to a personal blog for sharing and collaborating course-appropriate ideas.

For full details about NUBlog, click here.