Wikipedia talk:Education program archive/Texas State University/POSI 5336 (Fall 2013)/Timeline

Timeline
Below your can find assignment descriptions, deadlines, and resources that are specifically related to the Wikipedia assignment. For an overview and a complete description of the readings, topics, and requirements of the entire course, please refer to the syllabus and/or our TRACS page.

Introduction to how Wikipedia will be used in the course

 * On your own (9/11)
 * Handout: Welcome to Wikipedia (available in print or online from the Wikimedia Foundation and posted to TRACS)
 * Online tutorial: Tutorial

Editing basics

 * On your own (9/11)
 * Handouts: Using talk pages, Evaluating Wikipedia article quality, Wikimarkup cheatsheet
 * Video: Editing basics: bold and links How to use talk pages

Exploring the topic area

 * On your own (9/11)
 * Handouts: Advice for choosing articles and How to get help
 * Online tutorial: Article Wizard

Using sources

 * On your own (9/11)
 * Handouts: “Referencing on Wikipedia” and “Avoiding plagiarism”
 * Video: Citing sources part I Citing sources part II


 * Assignments (due by 9/18):
 * Complete the online training for students.
 * Create a user page, and sign up on the list of students on the course page.
 * Add 1–2 sentences of new information, backed up with a citation to an appropriate source, to a Wikipedia article related to the class.


 * Milestone:
 * All students have Wikipedia user accounts and are listed on the course page.

Choosing articles

 * In class (10/2)
 * Discuss the topics students proposed and strategies for researching and writing about them.
 * Select an article to work on.


 * Assignment (due by 10/2):
 * Research and list 3–5 articles on your Wikipedia user page that you will consider working on as your main project.

Drafting starter articles

 * On your own
 * Video: Article creation Article improvement Using sandboxes
 * In class
 * Talk about Wikipedia culture and etiquette, and (optionally) revisit the concept of sandboxes and how to use them.
 * Q&A session about interacting on Wikipedia and getting started with writing.


 * Assignments (due by 10/16):
 * Compile a bibliography of relevant research and post it to the talk page of the article we are working on. Begin reading the sources.
 * If we are starting a new article, write a 3–4 paragraph summary version of the article—with citations—in our Wikipedia sandbox. If we are improving an existing article, write a summary version reflecting the content the article will have after it's been improved, and post this along with a brief description of your plans on the article’s talk page.
 * Begin working with classmates and other editors to polish the short starter article and fix any major issues.

Moving the article to the main space

 * On your own
 * Handout: Moving out of your sandbox


 * Assignments: (due 10/23)
 * Move sandbox article into main space.
 * Continue research in preparation for expanding your article.

Uploading images and adding images to articles.

 * On your own
 * Handouts: “Uploading images” and “Evaluating Wikipedia article quality” (handed out originally in week 2)
 * Video: Adding images


 * Assignments: (due 10/30)
 * Begin expanding our article into a comprehensive treatment of the topic.


 * Milestone
 * All students have started editing articles or drafts on Wikipedia.

Expectations of a solid encyclopedia article
Video: Article assessment Article evolution
 * On your own
 * Handout: Evaluating Wikipedia article quality


 * Assignments: (due 11/6)
 * Expand the article into an initial draft of a comprehensive treatment of the topic.

Giving and getting feedback
and the impact and limits of Wikipedia.
 * In class (11/13)
 * Open discussion of the concepts of neutrality, media literacy,
 * Selection of peer reviewers
 * On your own


 * Handout: Peer review form


 * Assignments: (due 11/20)
 * Peer review two of your classmates' contributions. Leave suggestions on the article talk pages.
 * Copy-edit article.


 * Assignments: (due 11/22)
 * Make edits to article based on peers’ feedback.
 * Prepare for an in-class presentation about your Wikipedia editing experience.


 * Milestone
 * Article has been reviewed by group. All students have reviewed contributions by their classmates.

You made it!

 * In class (12/4)
 * Students give in-class presentations about their experiences editing Wikipedia.


 * Assignments: (due during finals period)
 * Add final touches to the Wikipedia article.


 * Milestone
 * Students have finished all their work on Wikipedia that will be considered for grading, and have presented reflective comments.

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