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- Course name
- Introduction to public administration
- Institution
- Texas State University
- Instructor
- Dr. Emily Kay Hanks
- Subject
- Political Science
- Course dates
- 2015-01-19 – 2015-04-22
- Approximate number of student editors
- 30
Project description edit
The Wikipedia group project is a semester-long assignment for Texas State students enrolled in POSI 3316 that provides an opportunity to have a real-world impact on public administration (PA). Working in teams, students conduct research a topic related to PA and share their work with a large, diverse audience by revising an article on Wikipedia.
Project at-a-glance edit
Below you can find an overview of the major phases in our project. Be sure to consult our class TRACS page ("resources/assignments/wikipedia") for detailed assignment instructions.
Phase 1: Wikipedia fundamentals edit
- Overview
After completing this phase of the project, students should understand how Wikipedia will be used in this course, have a Wikipedia account, finished the online training, practiced editing and communicating on Wikipedia, and critically evaluated an existing Wikipedia article.
- Assignments
- Create Wikipedia account
- Complete online training for students
- Create user page & enroll on course page
- User talk page post
- Article evaluation
- Readings & resources
- Wikipedia online training for students
- Handout: Editing Wikipedia (available in print or online from the Wiki Education Foundation)
- Handout: Using Talk Pages
- Handout: Evaluating Wikipedia brochure
- Wikipedia user talk page information (probably way more than you will need to know for project, but if you have questions)
- Additional readings posted to TRACS ("resources/assignments/wikipedia/phase1/readings”)
Phase 2: Exploring the topic & starting research edit
- Overview
At the end of Phase 2, all students will have selected an article to revise, met with their group members and drafted a collective understanding of how the group will function, and compiled a substantive list of resources.
- Assignments
- Topic selection
- Team charter
- Bibliography
- Readings & resources
- Handout: Using Talk Pages handout and Evaluating Wikipedia brochure
- Handout: Choosing an article
- Handout: Referencing on Wikipedia
- For information on bibliographic citations try the Purdue OWL
- Additional readings posted to TRACS ("resources/assignments/wikipedia/phase2/readings)
Phase 3: Building your article revision edit
- Overview
Now it's time to begin expanding your group’s article into a comprehensive treatment of the topic. By the end of this stage, you will have added content to the main Wikipedia site (where Wikipedia users can publically access it!!). In class we will take time to get and give formative feedback, share our editing experiences, address your questions, and (if necessary) discuss problems.
- Assignments
- Project proposal
- Team evaluation
- Initial contribution
- Peer review
- Readings & resources
- Handout: Evaluating Wikipedia brochure
- Quality grading scheme
- Handouts: Citing sources on Wikipedia and Avoiding plagiarism on Wikipedia
- Handout: Moving out of your sandbox
- Handout: How to get help
Phase 4: The “finishing” touches edit
- Overview
The final steps in your group’s Wikipedia project include expanding your article, making revisions in response to peer reviews (and, if applicable, Wikipedia user feedback), and prepare and present your work to the class.
- Assignments
- Completed article revisions
- Presentation
- Reflection
- Readings & resources
- Handouts: "Uploading images" and "Evaluating Wikipedia article quality" (handed out originally earlier in the course)
Grading edit
Course banner edit
 | This article was the subject of an educational assignment in Spring 2015. Further details are available on the course page. |