PB Wiki

From LIS 460 Summer 2007

1 What is a PBwiki?
2 How to create a PBwiki
3 Using a PBwiki in schools and libraries
4 Sources

What is a PBwiki?

According to the PBwiki website, a PBwiki is a webpage that can be edited within a web browser by multiple users. It is called a PBwiki because the creators of the software claim that the wiki is easy to make just like a peanut butter sandwich.

[edit]

How to create a PBwiki

Signing up for a PBwiki is free unless a user decides to upgrade to other features, such as more storage space and additional templates for the wiki. In order to create a site, the user will have to choose a name for the wiki and an e-mail address in order for a confirmation and password to be sent for login-in purposes. After the user has entered the password into the wiki, then he or she is ready to create the page.

The PB frontpage has similar features to a word document. It has different fonts to choose from. A user can insert an image, link or plugin. In order to create a new page, the user would only have to click on the "create new page" button. There are a variety of templates to use on the wiki, such as a newsroom or recipe style. The website provides plenty of tutorials on how to use the software. There are a ton of wiki pages that first time users can look at for inspiration.

[edit]

Using a PBwiki in schools and libraries

PBwikis are used for a number of reasons, such as building fan clubs or even keeping track of the books that a user may have read. PBwikis can also be used in an educational setting. Teachers and librarians can post reading lists, assignments, the course syllabas and group projects online. It's an easy way of having students communicate via chat rooms and joint editing processes.

Librarians and teachers may opt to use this software because it is free and it is an easy to use collaborative tool. The only downside to using a PBwiki is that students will have to use the same password in order to work on the wiki, but the password can be changed if someone happens to break into the wiki. The wiki works well with small groups and can be used to organize a bookclub, create a science project or just inform students and parents about what is going on in the library or classroom.

[edit]