Wikipedia:Ambassadors/Newsletter/3

Where the courses are right now
A survey of how each of the 31 Public Policy Initiative courses are faring so far in the Spring 2011 term, as of 9-11 March, is up here. On the whole, there is a range of statuses, from classes going very well to classes that could need more assistance (as far we we can tell). If you've been involved with one of these classes or have more to add or clarify about any of these summaries, please update or comment accordingly.

In total, we're working with well over 600 students this term, and late March is when most of the classes are scheduled to start making significant contributions. A few classes have already gotten active; you can see some of what they've accomplished so far at the trophy case. Please update the trophy case to list significant accomplishments of any of the students you're working with.

Tracking students' articles
The second phase of the Article Feedback Tool project has started, and this time we're trying to include all of the articles students are working on. You can enable the tool by adding Category:Article Feedback Pilot (a hidden category) to the article itself.

We're also marking articles students are working on with WAP assignment, which generates a notification banner indicating that the article is part of a class assignment and is part of the Public Policy Initiative. This banner should go on the discussion page of the articles being worked on by students. The banner can be used to include links to the associated course page and other relevant details, as well.

Education portal in progress
Wikimedia staff have started work on an outreach portal for information about teaching with and about Wikipedia. The plan is to include useful resources for educators interested in using Wikipedia as a teaching tool (whether through the Ambassador program or independently) as well as resources for Wikipedians who want to teach others about Wikipedia. Help fleshing out and improving the design of the portal is very welcome!

Online Ambassadors logistics

 * We have Wikipedia Ambassador sweatshirts, which we would like to give to each of the ambassadors. Campus Ambassadors, as well as Online Ambassadors from the first term, already have sweatshirts.  Now's the chance for the newer Online Ambassadors to get them as well!  If you would like an ambassador sweatshirt, please email your name, mailing address and sweatshirt size to Sage.
 * Keep your mentor profile up to date, with the name and numbers of your mentees!
 * If you have an interest in being a coordinating ambassador for a class, there's still a need. Let Sage know, or just sign up on the courses page for the class you'd like to help monitor. This role is open to both Online Ambassadors and Campus Ambassadors.

Steering committee preparing proposals for Regional Ambassador role and committee elections
The Wikipedia Ambassador Steering Committee (WASC) has been developing two proposals for the future of the ambassador program: a new regional ambassador role for experienced ambassadors who coordinate recruitment and matching of new Campus Ambassadors and instructors in a particular geographical region; and an election process for choosing a new committee. Once the committee is ready to endorse these proposals, you can look forward to an open discussion about whether the ambassador program should adopt or amend them, or go in a different direction altogether.

Editing Friday returns
This Friday is the return of Editing Fridays; ambassadors and other Wikipedians will spend a few hours collaborating on a single article, Wainwright Building. We're going with a narrower topic this time, which will hopefully make it easier for relative newcomers to participate. Please join us!