About+the+Wiki


 * The Start of Book It Cruises **

Book It Cruises was created as a group project assignment for the library science class S603, High Tech Learning, offered through IUPUI's SLIS graduate program. The group decided on using the Oncourse Chat feature for our online, virtual meeting. All group members were in attendance for the virtual meeting on October 23, 2011. The group started our conversation discussing a possible wiki idea that was brought up through our Forum discussion. We had contemplated creating a ghost town. This particular topic seemed to be going nowhere when a new idea was brought to the table thanks to Cassaundra! We had reached a decision for our wiki: a library and literacy promotion wiki that uses a travel metaphor as its basis. The idea of Book It Cruises was formed.

Cassaundra had an account with Wikispaces and was kind enough to create our group Wiki page. We all promptly became members and got to work. Before setting up the Wikispaces page, we were asking questions and communicating through Oncourse Forums. We then started using the email feature in Wikispaces. We were able to email each other using that rather than having to check between the Wikispaces and Oncourse. This feature was an excellent find.

One of the project's stipulations was that it provide content unique to the web. While book reviews are not uncommon, the particular approach used--describing the worlds and locations and providing an itinerary as a way to introduce key elements of book plots and content--seems unique, as is the cruise line metaphor. A Google search of "library promotion cruise" produces several pages of actual cruise lines or local marinas helping to promote their local libraries.

__Group Members__

Cassaundra Bash Laura Anderson-Brack Timothy Collins Elissa Ellis