Hi all,
Following Edward's email I would encourage anyone involved in editathons or who is interested in becoming either an online or campus ambassador to check out:
Wikipedia:Education program/Ambassadors https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Education_program/Ambassadors
At the bottom of the page are links to apply for online and campus ambassador userrights. These then show up on the Wikipedia:Education noticeboard https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Education_noticeboard. Established Wikimedians will have no problem getting userrights, but sometimes the process needs a bit of nudge to get it sorted out a bit quicker. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Education_noticeboard
Currently this is very much addressed to supporting the Education Program, especially in the USA/Canada. However, various wikimedians in different chapters across the world (eg Education Program:Cascadia Wikimedians User Group https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_Program:Cascadia_Wikimedians_User_Group) are experimenting with using it to run editathons. the Cinema Museum editathon is one of these in the UK.
This piloting will enable us to:
- identify how effective the extension is - identify how it might be adapted to be more useful for editathons - get feedback as regards how friendly people find the interface
Of course, obtaining campus or ambassador userrights also enables wikimedians to interact more effectively with students on one of the courses, whether in the UK or further a field.
One issue that warrants further consideration is the extent to which students get involved with Wikipedia in one of these courses, but never appreciate the existence of the broader Wikimedian community around them. Whilst we wouldn't want to be disruptive to the class by pushing community involvement too hard, we can explore appropriate ways to highlight opportunities to the students with the approval of the academics running the courses.
I think there is a lot of room for thought about this.
all the best
Fabian Tompsett, Volunteer Support Organiser, Wikimedia UK, Address: 56-64 Leonard St, Shoreditch, London EC2A 4LT Phone:020 7065 0990 *Mobile: *07840 455 746
Wikimedia UK is a Company Limited by Guarantee registered in England and Wales, Registered No. 6741827. Registered Charity No.1144513. Registered Office 4th Floor, Development House, 56-64 Leonard Street, London EC2A 4LT. United Kingdom. Wikimedia UK is the UK chapter of a global Wikimedia movement. The Wikimedia projects are run by the Wikimedia Foundation (who operate Wikipedia, amongst other projects).
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