Wikipedia Campus Ambassador/Training/One Day Virtual Training Agenda

Welcome to the Campus Ambassador Virtual Training.

Thanks for joining us! We're excited you're here! We hope you'll enjoy being a volunteer Wikipedia Campus Ambassador as much as we do, and that you'll approach your ambassadorship with the seriousness it deserves and humor that it needs.

 Please note that this is an interim virtual training page for Campus Ambassador trainees and will be updated periodically. 
 We are in the process of developing an actual online program that will be completed in January, 2012.


Section 1: Wikipedia Day

 
Campus Ambassador Training - Day 1 Facilitator slide deck and notes

Let's kick things off with an overview of Wikipedia, the Global Education Program, and what we expect of volunteer Campus Ambassadors

Recently, we videotaped PJ giving the Ambassador training at Yale University. He'll introduce himself, then help us cover the content for this section. The information in this section will likely come up in conversations with the professor you are supporting as well as professor you try to recruit.

 Please watch the following two videos and review the presenter notes for Day 1 slides (on right).
 1)Wikipedia By The Numbers
 2)Introduction of the Global Education Program


In this section, you'll learn: how big Wikipedia is and the potential audience size for student work; where the program came from and where it is headed; and the essentials of the campus ambassador role. We'll provide you with:

  • The amazing numbers behind the size of Wikipedia.
    • 10 years old
    • 400 million unique visitors a month, 15 billion page views, ~5% of the world's population
    • 270 Languages
    • 80,000 editors
    • Wikimedia Foundation is the non-profit organization that operates Wikipedia and related projects (like Wikisource, Wikinews, Wikimedia Commons, etc.)
  • The Core ideas of the Global Education Program.
    • Core idea
      • Improve Wikipedia articles related to class subject
      • Encourage and support the use of Wikipedia as a teaching tool for learning
    • Started with pilot phase "Public Policy Initiative" in fall 2010, now expanding to all academic disciplines and more countries

Brief overview of the Campus Ambassador role The Wikipedia Campus Ambassador role is a volunteer (unpaid) position. The estimated time commitment is approximately 3-5 hours a week, with some variations throughout the semester. Like you, Wikipedia Campus Ambassadors come from a variety of backgrounds and experience that may include undergraduate students, graduate students, university librarians, university Teaching and Learning Centers, or anyone geographically close to the university -- the main qualification is that you must enjoy teaching people and spreading your passion for free knowledge.

    • Support for instructors and students
    • Almost 200 Ambassadors (Campus + Online) total in the program right now
WATCH -- Overview of the Campus Ambassadors Role
WATCH -- Helping Students


Wikipedia Editing -- The Basics

Campus Ambassadors have a large variance in their experience levels in editing Wikipedia: some are longtime Wikipedians whereas others are new to editing. As a result, training that tries to meet both groups' needs tends to leave half the group bored or the other half confused. With this in mind, we have divided the training into two sections: "Non-Wikipedians" and "Wikipedians." Our goal is to provide the information that each group needs.

Our expectation is that everyone feels comfortable with editing basics and will be able to teach key editing concepts.


NON-WIKIPEDIANS: The material below will expose you to the kinds of tasks, information and key concepts you will be teaching your students in class. Before we jump into talking about the content and how you'll be teaching students, we want to take a few moments to make sure you feel comfortable with the basics of editing on Wikipedia.

In this section, you'll learn to complete tasks that you will have your students do in class later and some key Wikipedia principles that guide Wikipedia. Please complete the following:

  • Create a user account (If you do not have one already).
 WATCH -- Username Video
  • Create your user page. Add a short paragraph about yourself on your page. Add a link to IRC where you can get live help: http://webchat.freenode.net/?channels=wikipedia-en-ambassadors . Add a link to the userpage of your Regional Ambassador. Add a link to the course page(s) for the classes you'll be working with.
 READ -- userpage handout: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:How_to_create_a_userpage.pdf
  • Create a sandbox and add some sample text in it to get a feel for wiki code.
 WATCH -- Sandbox screencast:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tutorial_on_starting_a_sandbox_article_on_Wikipedia.ogv
  • Make five edits in the article space -- can be adding a reference, fixing a typo, cleaning up a convoluted sentence, adding a sentence, etc.
 WATCH -- Wiki markup basics screencast: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Boldness_and_links_tutorial.ogv
 WATCH -- References screencast: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Citing_sources_tutorial,_part_1.ogv
 DOWNLOAD -- Wiki markup basics sheet: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Welcome2WP_English_Flap_081810.pdf
 READ -- References handout: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:WikipediaReferencing.pdf
  • Upload an image of yourself to Wikimedia Commons. During the training, you will add this photo to the Campus Ambassador page, so please choose a clearly recognizable head shot.
 READ -- Image uploading handout: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/81/Adding_Images_to_Articles_handout.pdf
  • Add 10 articles to your watchlist. Monitor the changes to these articles over a few days.
 READ -- Watching pages help page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Watching_pages
  • Review key policies/pages:
 WATCH -- NPOV video: http://outreach.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Verifiability_and_Neutral_point_of_view_%28Common_Craft%29-600px-en.ogv
 REVIEW the five pillars, which represent Wikipedia's core principles: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Five_pillars
        Explain, in your own words, the Wikipedia concepts:
         o "neutral point of view", "no original research", "verifiability", "assume good faith", "consensus", 
         o "ownership of articles", and what it means that Wikipedia is an encyclopedia.
 READ -- Be able to explain the general notability guideline: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Notability


WIKIPEDIANS: You know a lot about Wikipedia, but how would you *teach* Wikipedia editing to a newbie? As you go through this section, think back on when you first started editing Wikipedia. How did you start? What was your first edit? A key aspect of the Ambassador role requires that you teach editing skills to a new person. So where would you start? Fortunately, we are providing you with a starting point:

 REVIEW -- 4 modules (slide sets): Wikipedia Basics; Wikipedia Essentials; Wikipedia Literacy; Working in the Classroom.
 THINK -- As you review the materials about the culture and  norms of Wikipedia. Please think about what the most important facets  
   of Wikipedia culture a newbie needs to know are. What is Wikipedia  etiquette? How do you communicate on-wiki? Come prepared to 
   discuss your views on Wikipedia culture and  norms with fellow Wikipedians.
 PRACTICE -- Explain to someone brand new to Wikipedia an important topic of your choice. Think about what's really important and 
   how to explain it without Wikipedia jargon.


Wikipedia editing - How to teach the concepts

Now, we are making the transition from editing to how to teach editing. The introductory module is one of several you will be teaching your students. They're grouped into four general modules each with various numbers of sections: "Introduction to Wikipedia," "Wikipedia Literacy," "Wikipedia Essentials," and "Working on Wikipedia."

We'll start by showing the first module (the "Introduction to Wikipedia" module) as it was delivered at the Yale training by new Ambassador trainees. Watch how the information is delivered. Ask yourself, "if I were a student is class would this presentation engage me?" What do you think worked well and what do you they think you could improve on, in terms of how you presented the materials and presentation. Note: they are learning the material too.

* Add Yale Video of students presenting this section

Presentations Tips

In this section, you'll learn:

  • When these modules should be given in class?
  • What to watch for when doing live demonstrations in class
  • Setting up for a presentation
  • Warning: creating too many accounts at once
REVIEW -- Day 1 Slides (Slides 15-18): Tips around giving presentations

Wikipedia Culture

This section gives Wikipedia newbies the chance to ask questions and appreciate the differences in opinion among Wikipedians.

  • Ask the experienced Wikipedians in the group to be on a panel to share their experiences as Wikipedians. Here are some questions/topics you might ask the panel, to start off the conversation:
    • Why/how they became a Wikipedian
    • How they think a new editor can grow from making smaller edits to becoming more full-fledge editors
    • How can beginner editors help out on Wikipedia
    • Culture/etiquette/norms
    • On-wiki communication importance

Section 2: Ambassador Day

 
Campus Ambassador Training - Day 2 Facilitator slide deck and notes

Working in the classroom

This section will give you some tips around working with professors, students, and other Ambassadors - based on Campus Ambassador feedback from the past - as well as our expectations for how these various parties will interact with one another.

After talking with several professors, we developed a sample Syllabus for using Wikipedia assignments in a course. Take a moment to review the example below to see how Wikipedia assignments could be incorporated into a course syllabus. Although many professors find it helpful, just as many modify the syllabus to fit their class, learning objectives, and course length. (You will note that the sample syllabus only shows the Wikipedia assignments that could be used to further the actual course assignments).

 WATCH -- Discussion of the sample syllabus
 REVIEW -- A 12 week Sample Syllabus

As a Volunteer Campus Ambassador, you will consult with your professor around their Wikipedia Assignments. The following provides a collection of possible Wikipedia assignment types to help both you and your professor determine the most appropriate assignment for the learning objectives. The assignments listed are only a starting point for your and your professor.

 WATCH -- Discussion of writing assignments
 REVIEW -- Potential Wikipedia Assignment Types

Typically, Ambassadors work with professors in teams to support a class. A "pod" is made up of the professor, Campus Ambassadors, and Online Ambassadors.

REVIEW -- Days 2 slides (slide 4) for more information on the "pod"

The Memorandum of Understanding provides the professor with what he can expect from his "pod" and what the "pod" can expect from the professor.

REVIEW -- Memorandum of Understanding for Professors

Tips for working in the classroom

"This section gives trainees more tips and tricks on having a positive relationship with the professor and students, based on feedback from the past.

  • Tips for working with the professor
  • Tips for presentations & labs
  • Tips for avoiding problems
REVIEW -- Day 2 slides (slides 7-10)

Setting up a course page

Please walk trainees through how to use the course page wizard to create a course page, since Campus Ambassadors will likely be the ones creating and/or updating course pages throughout the academic term.

Where to get help

This section essentially addresses the question, what do you do if you get asked a question you can't answer?

  • Other Ambassadors.
  • IRC.
  • Wikimedia staff.
  • Handouts.
  • Course pages.
  • ACTIVITY: Log on to the IRC chatroom and ask a question, to demonstrate how the IRC works.

Wikipedia-editing pow-wow

At this point of the training, some trainees might still be unclear about some basics of Wikipedia-editing. Please take 30 minutes or so to ask what people are still unclear about, and then briefly show them how to do those things so that they're clearer. Please remember though:

  • This training is not meant to teach CA's how to edit Wikipedia (the training is meant to teach them how to teach others about Wikipedia-editing), so don't spend too much time on this pow-wow section
  • Focus on only the basics of Wikipedia-editing (i.e. what CA's will teach to students), nothing advanced

Sustainability

This section explains where the Ambassador program is going in the future and how attendees can get involved if they're interested.

  • Ways for CA's to get more involved in the program (they're encouraged to get more involved!):
    • Lead a future CA training
    • Apply to be a Regional Ambassador
    • Recruit other professors and CA's to come on board the project
    • Develop materials to help students learn about Wikipedia
  • If there's time, talk about outreach activities like forming student clubs, holding on-campus workshops/presentations, etc.

Expectations

Return to the high-level expectations for Campus Ambassadors. Ask for any concerns, questions, feedback, anything the attendees feel like they're not prepared to do.

  • Clearly state what CA's responsibility is: What Campus Ambassadors are expected to do and what they shouldn't be doing
  • When to reach out to staff if problems emerge
  • Let staff know about media interest
  • Alert OAs about upcoming labs
  • Updating course pages
  • Go over main points of MOU again

List of Modules

We've organized what Campus Ambassadors generally teach students into 4 modules (sections), which are roughly in chronological order of when CA's usually present these materials to students.

Please note: The material has been developed in a modular approach. Each module may be used in it entirety, but more likely, you 
will modify the slides set to meet the learning objectives of the professor and the time allowed for presentation in the class. 
Our experience shows that there is more material in each module than you will have time to present in class.

Introduction to Wikipedia

  • What is Wikipedia?
  • How big is it? (Generating excitement) [KEY]
  • Is/Is Not activity

Wikipedia Literacy

  • WikiProjects
  • User interface
  • Anatomy of an article
  • Watchlists and discussion norms
  • Article selection
  • Disagreements, arguments and edit wars [KEY]

Wikipedia Essentials

  • Account and userpage creation [KEY]
  • Talk pages, user talk pages, and using them
  • Editing basics
  • Adding references
  • Uploading images

Working on Wikipedia

  • Notability and sources
  • Sandboxes (Pros & Cons) [KEY]
  • "Did you know?"
  • Collaboration and engaging the community

Volunteer Campus Ambassador High-Level Expectations

  • Represent Wikipedia and the Ambassador program
  • Teach students the basics of editing Wikipedia (the information in the 4 modules)
  • Consult with the professor around the assignment
  • Support and encourage student learning around Wikipedia
  • Communicate with other stakeholders (Wikimedia Foundation, Regional Ambassadors, Online Ambassadors, other Campus Ambassadors, etc.)
REVIEW -- Volunteer Campus Ambassador Role