Re: [libraries] Wikipedia classes in the Public Library setting - Libraries

18 Jun 2013

I dunno, I think for newbie editors it might be nice to let them edit what
excites them during an edit-a-thon - especially if the turn-out is on the
small side. Creates more ownership?

I've done the following experiment with brand new editors: picked a benign
article that a new editor was passionate about (we chose hotels) and added
a few sentences. The newbie was excited to see his work in the established
article, and even more so when the edit was QUICKLY patrolled and removed
(no citations) as I warned it would be (no citations).

The patroller also added a note to the newbie's talk page, which we replied
to during the class. We visited the patroller's pages and learned about his
interests and editing history (his page had his name, no gender-judgment
intended) .... and the newbie spent the rest of the class checking his own
talk page to see if the patroller had replied! Connection established.

This experiment serves as a useful argument against comments like
"Wikipediais badly sourced/written/etc" because the time between
posting the edit and
the patroller deleting it provides evidence that Wikipedia is closely
monitored for sourcing/vandalism/etc.

Slightly off topic, but useful I hope. Yes, it is tough being the only
Wikipedian in the 'hood....be bold and do your own edit-a-thon!

*What are 10 things Librarians should know about Wikipedia in order to help
their patrons become better consumers (and perhaps editors)?* Compiling a
list that will turn into a course on https://p2pu.org/en/  - joiners needed!

(PS "newbie" always used with affection)

Cheers,

Bettina

On Tue, Jun 18, 2013 at 8:00 AM, &lt;libraries-request(a)lists.wikimedia.org&gt;wrote;wrote:

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 Today's Topics:

    1. Re: Wikipedia classes in the Public Library setting
       (Derric Atzrott)

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 Message: 1
 Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:08:12 -0400
 From: "Derric Atzrott" &lt;datzrott(a)alizeepathology.com&gt;
 To: "'Wikimedia & Libraries'"
&lt;libraries(a)lists.wikimedia.org&gt;
 Subject: Re: [libraries] Wikipedia classes in the Public Library
         setting
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 We also do small group instruction and even
co-editing--we have been able  to

 maintain at least a ratio of 1 experienced
Wikipedia editor to 4  inexperienced

 participants,   and usually better.  My advice is
that if editing is  planned,

 you need at least a 1:4 ratio, and if possible
1:2.  Also, 2 participants  to a

 computer is possible, but 1:1 is better. It is
also very advisable to have 
 topics in mind suitable for beginners., though
some will have their own  ideas.

 How does co-editing work?  And do you think that it is possible for one
 person

 to pull of managing an edit-a-thon?  I've been thinking about holding one
 at my

 local library and actually subscribed to this mailing list hoping a thread

 like this would come up.  As far as I can tell, I'm the only Wikipedian in
 the

 general area (haven't met any others at least, and I organzied the Wiknic
 for

 my area last year).

 For topics I was thinking local historical items that have poor coverage on

 Wikipedia; I see you recommend recent deaths.  Do you have any other topic

 recommendations to make to participants?

 Thank you,

 Derric Atzrott