Facilitated hypertext for collective sensemaking: 15 years on from gIBIS

  • Authors:

  • Jeff Conklin;Albert Selvin;Simon Buckingham Shum;Maarten Sierhuis

  • Affiliations:

  • CogNexus Institute, 304 Arbutus Dr., Edgewater, MD;Verizon eBusiness, 500 Westchester Ave., White Plains, NY;Knowledge Media Institute, The Open University, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK;RIACS/USRA, NASA Ames Research Center, MS 19-39, Moffett Field, CA

  • Venue:
  • Proceedings of the 12th ACM conference on Hypertext and Hypermedia
  • Year:
  • 2001

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Abstract

This paper outlines the technical and social dimensions to a hypertext tool that has been successfully used in organizational settings to improve meetings, and capture group memory in real time. The approach derives from hypertext research systems from the mid-1980s-90s which sought to manipulate conceptual structures as hypertextual concept maps. However, many did not receive sustained use due to issues of cognitive overheads and representational inflexibility. Many decided that such tools would never fulfill their promise. The gIBIS system exemplified this early work, but has since evolved into a broader approach to collective sensemaking called Compendium. We outline Compendium, which demonstrates the impact that a hypertext facilitator can have on the learning and adoption problems that often ambush hypertext sensemaking tools before they have the chance to establish roots in work practice.