Wikipedia:Wiki Ed/Purdue/BTNY111 (Spring 2018)

BTNY111 - Principles of plant biology, honors assignment

Students who wish to get honours credit for BTNY111 will be asked to complete this Wikipedia assignment for extra credit.

BTNY111 is an introduction to fundamental biological concepts designed to prepare students for more specialized study. Lectures and laboratory exercises will cover mechanisms and processes of genetics, physiology, and ecology. Our goal is to convey how these levels of organization all contribute to the relative success of organisms within and across environments. Throughout the course, emphasis will be made on the means by which scientific data is collected and interpreted, and key experiments performed in the lab component will be used to illustrate this process.

Week 3
Welcome to your Wikipedia project's course timeline. This page will guide you through the Wikipedia project for your course. Be sure to check with your instructor to see if there are other pages you should be following as well.


 * Create an account and join this course page, using the enrollment link your instructor sent you.
 * Below, you'll find the first set of online trainings you'll need to take. New modules will appear on this timeline as you get to new milestones. Be sure to check back and complete them! Incomplete trainings will be reflected in your grade.
 * Review the following handouts for our discussion:
 * Editing Wikipedia pages 1–5
 * Evaluating Wikipedia


 * What do you think of Wikipedia's definition of &quot;neutrality&quot;?
 * What are the impacts and limits of Wikipedia as a source of information?
 * On Wikipedia, all material must be attributable to reliable, published sources. What kinds of sources does this exclude? Can you think of any problems that might create?
 * If Wikipedia was written 100 years ago, how might its content (and contributors) be different? What about 100 years from now?

This week, everyone should have a Wikipedia account.

Week 4
1) Critique an article: It's time to think critically about Wikipedia articles. Wikipedia articles have talk pages, where users discuss ways to improve articles. In this part of the assignment, you will evaluate a Wikipedia article, and leave suggestions for improving it on the article's Talk page.


 * Complete the &quot;Evaluating Articles and Sources&quot; training (linked below).
 * Choose an article, and consider some questions (but don't feel limited to these):
 * Is each fact referenced with an appropriate, reliable reference?
 * Is everything in the article relevant to the article topic? Is there anything that distracted you?
 * Is the article neutral? Are there any claims, or frames, that appear heavily biased toward a particular position?
 * Where does the information come from? Are these neutral sources? If biased, is that bias noted?
 * Are there viewpoints that are overrepresented, or underrepresented?
 * Check a few citations. Do the links work? Is there any close paraphrasing or plagiarism in the article?
 * Is any information out of date? Is anything missing that could be added?
 * Choose at least 2 questions relevant to the article you're evaluating. Leave your evaluation on the article's Talk page. Be sure to sign your feedback with four tildes — Helaine (Wiki Ed) (talk) 20:02, 7 January 2019 (UTC).

Resources: Evaluating Wikipedia

2) Edit an article: Editing a Wikipedia article requires you to learn how the software works to actually make edits. Familiarize yourself with mechanics of editing Wikipedia by adding a small edit to an article. There are two ways you can do this:


 * Add 1-2 sentences to a course-related article, and cite that statement to a reliable source, as you learned in the online training. This must be an article that has something to do with plants!
 * The Citation Hunt tool shows unreferenced statements from articles. First, evaluate whether the statement in question is true! An uncited statement could just be lacking a reference or it could be inaccurate or misleading. Reliable sources on the subject will help you choose whether to add it or correct the statement.

We need to think about what makes a &quot;good&quot; Wikipedia article, consider the questions below before we meet, and come prepared for a discussion about these ideas.


 * Wikipedians often talk about &quot;content gaps.&quot; What do you think a content gap is, and what are some possible ways to identify them?
 * What are some reasons a content gap might arise? What are some ways to remedy them?
 * Does it matter who writes Wikipedia?
 * What does it mean to be &quot;unbiased&quot; on Wikipedia? How is that different, or similar, to your own definition of &quot;bias&quot;?

Week 5
It's time to choose an article and assign it to yourself, this week's assignment is described below.


 * Review page 6 of your Editing Wikipedia guidebook.
 * Find an article from the list of &quot;Available Articles&quot; on the Articles tab on this course page. When you find the one you want to work on, click Select to assign it to yourself.
 * In your sandbox, write a few sentences about what you plan to contribute to the selected article.
 * Think back to when you did an article critique. What can you add? Post some of your ideas to the article's talk page.
 * In your sandbox, compile a list of FIFTEEN relevant, reliable books, journal articles, or other sources. Post that bibliography to the talk page of the article you'll be working on, and in your sandbox. Make sure to check in on the Talk page to see if anyone has advice on your bibliography.

Good writing uses references as sources of information. What makes a good source? Why? Universities consider plagiarism to be the most serious academic offence. Have you ever thought about why? What is plagiarism exactly? Consider these questions and come prepared to discuss.


 * Blog posts and press releases are considered poor sources of reliable information. Why?
 * What are some reasons you might not want to use a company's website as the main source of information about that company?
 * What is the difference between a copyright violation and plagiarism?
 * What are some good techniques to avoid close paraphrasing and plagiarism?

You've chosen the topic you will work on this semester.

Week 6
You've picked a topic and found some sources. Now it is time to start thinking about the content gaps in your assigned article. This week's assignment is described below.


 * Move the source code for your assigned article into your sandbox for editing.  Contact the instructor if you need help doing this.
 * Identify some things that you think might be missing from the current form of the article. This will probably be informed by the sources you found last week. Think back to the skills you learned while critiquing an article. Make notes for improvement in your sandbox.
 * Keep searching for and reading your sources, too. This will help you identify content gaps, and get ideas for how to organise the article.

Resources: Editing Wikipedia pages 7–9

This week we will simply discuss your topic, and the content gaps you found. Come prepared to describe your topic to the group, and describe some of the things you think are missing from the article. We will all work together to think about additional gaps.

Week 7
Now that you have a topic, you have found and read some sources, and started to identify some content gaps it is time to really start working on your draft article.


 * Edit/write the lead paragraph(s) for your assigned article. A lead defines the subject and gives a rough overview of the topic. It's like the abstract in a scientific paper. Your article probably has a lead already, so work from that in your sandbox.
 * Your article probably already has a table of contents.  Think about the Table of contents. What information is missing, and what is the best way to organize that information into table of contents categories? Try to think of 4-5 categories total. The instructors will work on this with you during the discussion this week. Each content category might have sub-categories as well. Work in your sandbox.
 * Write 1-2 point form sentences in your sandbox explaining what each of the table of contents category will describe.

Resources:


 * Editing Wikipedia pages 7–9
 * Wikipedia page: Lead paragraphs
 * Wikipedia page: Table of contents

Review (if you want): 


 * Editing wikipedia training module.
 * Wikipedia basics training module.
 * Evaluating articles and sources training module.
 * Sources and citations training module.
 * Plagiarism training module.

We will work together to develop your table of contents as a group.


 * What are the important ideas in your topic?
 * Are the existing ideas adequate? Are there any new or different categories you can add?
 * What is the best way to organise those ideas for readers?

Everyone should have started their rough draft.

Week 8
You've identified content gaps in your assigned article, written a lead that defines and summarises the topic, and decided on a table of contents structure for your article. Now it's time to start drafting content.


 * Choose any TWO of your table of contents categories and begin expanding the details of those sections. This can be in rough point form. The objective is to start to fill in the important pieces of information for each category.
 * Include sources for each point. This will help you later.
 * Later you will write the sections in detail. Right now we just want ideas and information.
 * Continue searching for sources and reading new articles.
 * Reread your lead paragraph. Does it still define and summarise the scope of your topic? Revise if needed.

Resources:


 * Editing Wikipedia pages 10-12
 * Wikipedia page: Draft document.

Review (if you want): 


 * Editing wikipedia training module.
 * Wikipedia basics training module.
 * Evaluating articles and sources training module.
 * Sources and citations training module.
 * Plagiarism training module.

This week we will just check in on everyone's progress and address any concerns, questions or issues that might have arisen.

Week 9
You've identified content gaps in your assigned article, written a lead that defines and summarises the topic, and decided on a table of contents structure for your article. Now it's time to start writing content.


 * Choose  TWO more of your table of contents categories and begin expanding the details of those sections. This can be in rough point form. The objective is to start to fill in the important pieces of information for each category.
 * Include sources for each point. This will help you later.
 * Later you will write the sections in detail. Right now we just want ideas and information.
 * Continue searching for sources and reading new articles.
 * Reread your lead paragraph. Does it still define and summarise the scope of your topic? Revise if needed.
 * Reread the sections you drafted last week.  Do they flow well with your new material? Did you learn anything new that you might want to add to last week's sections?

Resources:


 * Editing Wikipedia pages 10-12
 * Wikipedia page: Draft document.

Review (if you want): 


 * Editing wikipedia training module.
 * Wikipedia basics training module.
 * Evaluating articles and sources training module.
 * Sources and citations training module.
 * Plagiarism training module.

We will meet to discuss any concerns and progress on your article. We will all work together to make improvements.

Week 10
You've begun a draft of two sections. Now it's time to finish your rough draft for peer review.


 * For the remaining table of contents categories and begin expanding the details of those sections. This can be in rough point form. The objective is to start to fill in the important pieces of information for each category.
 * Include sources for each point. This will help you later.
 * Later you will write the sections in detail. Right now we just want ideas and information.
 * Continue searching for sources and reading new articles.
 * Reread your lead paragraph. Does it still define and summarise the scope of your topic? Revise if needed.
 * Reread the sections you drafted over the last two weeks.  Do they flow well with your new material? Did you learn anything new that you might want to add to last week's sections?

Resources:


 * Editing Wikipedia pages 10-12
 * Wikipedia page: Draft document.

Review (if you want): 


 * Editing wikipedia training module.
 * Wikipedia basics training module.
 * Evaluating articles and sources training module.
 * Sources and citations training module.
 * Plagiarism training module.

Peer review is a very important part of science.


 * Who is a peer?
 * What is peer review?
 * Why is it important?

Resources:


 * Wikipedia page: Peer review.

Congratulations, you finished your rough draft!

Week 11

 * First, take the &quot;Peer Review&quot; online training.
 * You will be assigned a classmates’ article that you will peer review and copyedit. On the Articles tab, find the article that you want to review, and then assign it to yourself in the Review column.
 * Some people think that peer review is only about critiques.  It is equally important to give feedback on what people have done well (so they can keep doing that!) and what they can improve on (so they learn to improve!).
 * The tone of your critique's language can really make someone's day, or ruin someone's day.  Remember that if something seems like it is &quot;bad&quot; to you, your classmate probably was doing the best they could. So, always work from the assumption that they were working hard, and try to use a positive helpful tone in your critiques. :)
 * Peer review your classmate's draft. Leave suggestions on the Talk page of the article, or sandbox, that your fellow student is working on. Other editors may be reviewing your work, so look for their comments! Be sure to acknowledge feedback from other Wikipedians.
 * As you review, make spelling, grammar, and other adjustments. Pay attention to the tone of the article. Is it encyclopedic?

Resources:


 * Editing Wikipedia pages 10-12
 * Wikipedia page: Peer review.

Review:


 * Peer review training module.

You will have some feedback from the instructors, classmates and possibly other Wikipedians. It's time to work with that feedback to improve your article!


 * Read Editing Wikipedia pages 12 and 14.
 * Return to your draft or article and think about the suggestions. Decide which ones to start implementing. Reach out to your instructor or your Content Expert if you have any questions.
 * Remember that reviewers always mean well.  They are trying to help you, so don't take any critiques personally. Instead, use them as an invitation to improve and learn!
 * Reviewers don't know as much about your topic as you do. So, sometimes, comments will seem confusing or wrong to you.  If that is the case, trust your expertise!  Confusing or wrong reviewer comments are not because the reviewer is lazy or stupid, instead assume you were not clear enough and your writing confused them.  Look for ways to prevent future readers from getting confused and edit accordingly. :)
 * Use the suggestions to revise your draft.
 * If you'd like a Content Expert to review your draft, now is the time! Click the &quot;Get Help&quot; button in your sandbox to request notes. Wikipedia is here to help you, so take advantage of their services!
 * If you'd like to meet with the instructor(s) about your draft. We are here to help too!

Review:


 * Peer review training module.

We will meet to discuss any concerns and progress on your article and peer review. We will all work together to make improvements.

Week 12
Once you've made improvements to your article draft based on peer review feedback, it's time to move your work to Wikipedia proper - the &quot;mainspace.&quot; Right now you have only a rough draft. So, you can add the new categories to Wikipedia. Include a sentence that defines that category.

It is very important that you format your article to match Wikipedia's tone and standards. Remember to contact your Content Expert or instructor at any time if you need further help!

'''Wikipedia basics.

'''


 * NEVER copy and paste your draft of an article over the entire article. Instead, edit small sections at a time.
 * Copy your edits into the article. Make many small edits, saving each time, and leaving an edit summary. Never replace more than one to two sentences without saving!

Resources:


 * Editing Wikipedia page 13

Review: 


 * Sandboxes and mainspace training module.
 * Editing wikipedia training module.
 * Wikipedia basics training module.

You have a rough draft, and comments from peer review. Now it's time to start taking your rough draft and fleshing it out in essay format. Now grammar and spelling count. You should be doing this on the wikipedia mainspace now! No more sandbox!

It is very important that you format your article to match Wikipedia's tone and standards. Remember to contact your Content Expert or instructor at any time if you need further help!


 * Choose any TWO of your table of contents categories and begin expanding the details of those sections in essay format.
 * Include sources as necessary, and also link to existing wikipedia articles as necessary.
 * Continue searching for sources and reading new articles.
 * Reread your lead paragraph. Does it still define and summarise the scope of your topic? Revise if needed.

'''Wikipedia basics.

'''


 * NEVER copy and paste your draft of an article over the entire article. Instead, edit small sections at a time.
 * Copy your edits into the article. Make many small edits, saving each time, and leaving an edit summary. Never replace more than one to two sentences without saving!

Resources:


 * Editing Wikipedia

Review (if you want): 


 * Editing wikipedia training module.
 * Wikipedia basics training module.
 * Evaluating articles and sources training module.
 * Sources and citations training module.
 * Plagiarism training module.

We will meet to discuss any concerns and progress on your article. We will all work together to make improvements.

We'll also talk about moving your draft from the sandbox to the Wikipedia mainspace, and address any questions about this part of the assignment.

Week 13
Last week you wrote two sections for your article. This week do the same thing for two more sections. By the end of this week you should have FOUR sections written. Continue to work in the Wikipedia mainspace, no more sandbox!

It is very important that you format your article to match Wikipedia's tone and standards. Remember to contact your Content Expert or instructor at any time if you need further help!


 * Choose TWO MORE of your table of contents categories and begin expanding the details of those sections in essay format.
 * Include sources as necessary, and also link to existing wikipedia articles as necessary.
 * Continue searching for sources and reading new articles.
 * Reread your lead paragraph. Does it still define and summarise the scope of your topic? Revise if needed.
 * Reread the sections you wrote last week. Did you learn anything new? Does the organisation still flow well? Revise if needed.

'''Wikipedia basics.

'''


 * NEVER copy and paste your draft of an article over the entire article. Instead, edit small sections at a time.
 * Copy your edits into the article. Make many small edits, saving each time, and leaving an edit summary. Never replace more than one to two sentences without saving!

Resources:


 * Editing Wikipedia

Review (if you want): 


 * Editing wikipedia training module.
 * Wikipedia basics training module.
 * Evaluating articles and sources training module.
 * Sources and citations training module.
 * Plagiarism training module.

We will meet to discuss any concerns and progress on your article. We will all work together to make improvements.

Week 14


If you had more than four sections write the remaining sections. Spend some time rereading and revise your other sections if necessary.

Check your lead paragraph. You've learned a lot by now! Does it need revision?

Everyone should have finished all of the work they'll do on Wikipedia, and be ready for grading.

Wikipedia basics.


 * NEVER copy and paste your draft of an article over the entire article. Instead, edit small sections at a time.
 * Copy your edits into the article. Make many small edits, saving each time, and leaving an edit summary. Never replace more than one to two sentences without saving!



Resources:


 * Editing Wikipedia pages 10-12



Review (if you want):


 * Editing wikipedia training module.
 * Wikipedia basics training module.
 * Evaluating articles and sources training module.
 * Sources and citations training module.
 * Plagiarism training module.

We want feedback from you on this assignment.


 * What did you like?
 * What didn't you like?
 * How can we improve it for next year?

Wow, congratulations, you've written a Wikipedia article that will help thousands of people!