User:Jhouse2/Report

Wikipedia Article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halo_Top_Creamery

In COM 482 I have been exposed to the editing side of Wikipedia and have come to realize not only its notability but also the community that supports it and monitors its continuous growth. As I newcomer that represents Generation Z, I believe I have valuable advice the Wikipedia community can benefit from to attract a younger population, help streamline searches, and support newcomers of the community.

As a newcomer editing Wikipedia, I believe there are some concrete actions the site could make in order to guide users in the right direction and support them in making their first contributions. The Wikipedia community and Wikimedia Foundation should think about adding a topic filter where users can select topics of interest and then receive a filtered list of articles that would be of interest to them. This list would provide a starting point for newcomer editors as well as readers. The first difficulty I faced was finding an article that I could add to, as I felt that the topics I had interest in had already been covered. This generated filter list would provide new editors with options for articles that focus on what they are passionate about exploring and writing. Adding this filtering feature would also help narrow down Wikipedia’s vast amount of information into a smaller more attainable focus for newcomers. On the other hand, this filtered list may also help improve retention among older users by keeping them involved. I believe that users who have added to a couple articles also face this difficulty as they stop contributing because they have covered the topics they are interested in. This filtered list would improve retention among users who are specifically interested and passionate about topics, as users could reference this list when they are in the mood to edit, or they can work their way down the list as they scan articles of interest looking for areas of improvement. In order to gain newcomers attention as well as retain editor’s contributions, I think it would be very beneficial for the Wikipedia community to set in place filters for lists.

Another aspect of Wikipedia that I believe would benefit newcomers would be to create a video on the home page called the “Newcomers Guide” where a short introduction video would run through the basics of editing and contributing to the site. When I was first exposed to Wikipedia, one of the greatest barriers was being able to easily navigate and direct myself through the site while trying interacting. I believe that more people would be draw to editing if they had an overview understanding before just going for it. This short video would basically show a user’s screen navigating to find an article, using the talk page, contributing to the article, as well as informing about the user’s sandbox. This video would merely show the basis of editing but would be very valuable and informative to visual users who get confused or who are intimidated by Wikipedia’s user interface. This Newcomers Guide video would help support newcomers, set in place norms and rules, and would be a very low cost for the Wikipedia community.

Other than the few barriers I had to overcome, I had a positive experience editing Wikipedia overall. I began this process by searching for an article or stub that I was interested in that I could expand or add to. This was difficult at first because every page I went to already have so much information. At this time I was also becoming me more familiar with the site through WikiEdu training modules, as the step-by-step information alongside editing gave me confidence in this newcomer stage.

Understanding the Talk page is where I gained most of my knowledge on the collaboration behind each article. There was not much a discussion on the Halo Top Creamery Talk page so this gave me the flexibility to add headings that would be most valuable and informational. I learned about notability through WikiEdu and class discussions so finding reliable sources took some time, but once I had gathered strong sources I began writing and citing my information. After completing my additions, I was brought to a peer’s Talk page to write a review. Again, this gave me practice of interacting on the Talk page, which is a very important skill. Finally, I published my article and learned that once the initial barriers are overcome and you gain familiarity with the site and its navigation, editing an article is a lot simpler than many think.

Course concepts become more prevalent throughout my experience contributing to Wikipedia. Personally, I was extrinsically motivated to edit, as I was either rewarded with a good grade or punished with a poor grade. However, the greater Wikipedia community is intrinsically motivated as they have a choice to contribute and want to add to the greater common good. There is affective commitment among users of Wikipedia, especially identify-based as they feel like a part of a community helping to fulfill its mission.

The filter list that I have advised would be a persuasive technique to increase participation as it list potential contributions, makes it easy to find, and gives specific people an appropriate focus. This list would define a scope for editing and create a narrower focus that is attainable for those who are interested in specific topics. I believe it would also help users stay on track and reduce turnover. In addition, the Newcomers Guide video would advance support of newcomers on Wikipedia. Not only would this video display the commination norms of how to thread conversations but would also reduce the number of basic questions. Unlike message walls, this video would not only familiarize users with the site but would also increase the likelihood of editing. The introduction video would provide insight to rules/acceptable behaviors and would display injunctive norms of approved behaviors, as well as basics of editing. It would provide a safe space or protection where user would become socialized. This socialized process would be individual and informal and help aid the issue of internal September with the increase of new users. From concepts and course materials, I believe I have justified my recommendations to improve Wikipedia’s focus in increasing retention among editors and newcomer’s awareness and contributions.