Submissions/Breaking down Stereotypes: the Ivory Tower of Academia and the credibility of Wikipedia

This is a Completed submission for Wikimania 2017 ready to be reviewed by a member of the Programme Committee.

Submission no. 6003 Subject - E2

Title of the submission: Breaking down Stereotypes: the Ivory Tower of Academia and the credibility of Wikipedia

Type of submission (lecture, panel, tutorial/workshop, roundtable discussion, lightning talk, poster, birds of a feather discussion): Roundtable discussion

Author of the submission

Kelee Pacion

Language of presentation

English

E-mail address

klp92@cornell.edu

Username: saguaromelee

Country of origin: USA

Affiliation, if any (organisation, company etc.): Cornell University

Personal homepage or blog

Abstract (up to 300 words to describe your proposal)

One of the first types of feedback we received from a student regarding offering a course in “Writing for Wikipedia”, was that he like the idea of tearing down the notion of the ‘Ivory Tower’ by contributing to a source whose credibility is often maligned within the academic community as being edited by ‘non-experts’. However, verbal feedback received regarding the use of Wikipedia as a discipline specific learning tool, and as a means of understanding and evaluating information is positive, ranging from: university to community college, adult education to cooperative extension. This presentation will focus on our interactions within the university community and feedback we have received regarding presentations at other conferences regarding our work with Wikipedia.

Description

Discuss the model we use to recruit new editors from the realm of education and how we are working with Wikipedia starting from the outside of Wikipedia and working in: understanding the culture and community of Wikipedia as a means to enhance articles and encourage life-long learning.

Discussion points and lessons learned from the university side

· Recruit librarians

· Work with the Wikipedia Community

· Have a varied approach: credit bearing class, class projects, and editathons

· Credit bearing classes attract a more diverse interest in editing

· Struggle with the need to recruit more members from Wikipedia and how to go about this

What will attendees take away from this session?

· Have a model to bring to your own institutions

· Discussion and feedback on what works and what does not work from the university perspective

· Future ideas on project that can be incorporated into your own work with Wikipedia

Theme of presentation: Education

For workshops and discussions, what level is the intended audience?

New and experienced Wikipedians interested in working with universities

Length of session (if other than 25 minutes, specify how long): 30 minutes

Will you attend Wikimania if your submission is not accepted?: Probably

Slides or further information (optional)

Special requests

Is this Submission a Draft or Final?

This is a Completed submission for Wikimania 2017 ready to be reviewed by a member of the Programme Committee.

Interested attendees

If you are interested in attending this session, please sign with your username below. This will help reviewers to decide which sessions are of high interest. Sign with a hash and four tildes. (# ~~~~).