E-Key Professors in Education Program
TASKFORCE: Key & Influential Professors in Education Program MEMBERS: Bob Cummings, Rebecca Burdette, Shamira Gelbman, Diana Strassmann
DESIRED EFFECT: By November 30, 2012 there is a list of considerations related to how the new structure will function with regards to all academia-related matters. By 11/30/12, there is also a clear plan for engaging key and influential faculty in Phase II and III matters that are directly related to teaching and learning (e.g., staffing, needs assessment, etc.).
The US-Canada Education Program Working Group exists between July and November 2012 to formulate, articulate, review and vet a strategy that establishes a new, self-sustaining enterprise (the Education Program Structure, referred to here as “WPEDU”) to manage all aspects of the US-Canada Education Program in support of Wikimedia Foundation and Wikimedia movement strategic goals as of July 2015. What would be the role and scope of WPEDU?
- WPEDU would function as a “Wikipedia Studies Foundation,” supporting the formation of Wikipedia Studies as an interdisciplinary academic field, creating, cataloging, and promoting knowledge of the interplay between the mission of higher education (the creation and dissemination of original knowledge) and Wikipedia (making the sum of all human knowledge freely available). TheFoundation will:
- Create Wikipedia Studies, a peer-reviewed, CC-BY interdisciplinary journal, focusing both on knowledge about the information sharing platform and community and pedagogy for using Wikipedia in higher education;
- Promote and fund the presentation of peer-reviewed Wikipedia Studies content in existing academic conferences;
- Continue the Wikipedia in Higher Education Summit, shifting gradually toward a self-supporting model with peer-review mechanisms;
- Partner with academics in particular disciplines to regularly review and advise the Wikipedia community on topics of expertise, and create a badging system to reflect that knowledge (see #8 below);
- Partner with academics in particular disciplines to define and promote the best practices of teaching with Wikipedia at the K-16 levels.
This strategy has two parts:
- During the Kick-off Meeting in July, the Working Group develops a detailed future picture for what the new enterprise will look and function like as of June 2015
- Between the end of the July 2012 and November 2012, the Working Group (being split up into task forces) comes up with an action plan for how to set up an enterprise that meets the above future picture (this also includes making decisions about who will be responsible for implementing the action plan after November 2012).
In addition, between July and November 2012, the Working Group formulates strategic recommendations that require Wikimedia Foundation consideration.
PHASE I OBJECTIVES FOR THIS TASKFORCE
NOTE: Some of these Phase I objectives that were defined in July need to be revised as the “action” part and some of them will actually be in Phase II or III given that the charter of Phase I is developing a plan for a structure (not actual implementation). So as we make notes here, we may opt to revise the wording of the Phase I Objectives to more accurately reflect our tasks at hand. Ultimately, this document will result in notes related to how WPEDU interacts with faculty/universities which can then be incorporated into the overall proposal for the new structure.
8. A proposed Academic Advisory Council (AAC) charter and structure that would eventually represent the interests of the wider academic community.
- During Phase III (June 2013-July 2015; following the formation of a new structure), an AAC should be instated to advise on matters related to enhancing teaching and learning with Wikipedia
- This group should consist of 12-15 faculty members from diverse disciplines and institutions, with appropriate WPEDU staff also serving as members
- Members must have direct connections to teaching and learning with Wikipedia in the university classroom
- Faculty members should commit to a 2-year term, with the ability to serve consecutive terms at the discretion of the WPEDU staff
- The AAC should hold bi-annual virtual meetings, plus one annual in-person meeting
- The AAC should function primarily in an advisory capacity, with WPEDU staff having final authority and implementation responsibilities; however, the AAC members may also be called to serve on working groups when particular initiatives arise; represent WPEDU at select events, conferences, etc.; and promote the WPEDU program to colleagues where appropriate.
9. A proposed student, instructor, faculty, institution engagement methodology.
- For Phase I, key faculty are engaged via the Working Group. Because faculty/students are not particularly affected by the structure of WPEDU, this is the only level of engagement that is needed at this time
- For Phase II, key faculty (either Working Group members or not) should be involved in crafting strategic job descriptions for WPEDU staff that will work directly with learning and teaching initiatives. They may also participate in the interviewing process. **It is critical that WPEDU be appropriately staffed, included a paid staff dedicated to recruiting and program development
- For Phase III, key faculty (either Working Group members or not) should assist the WPEDU in formulating the AAC and selecting its members.
- Once the AAC is formed, it will advise the WPEDU on means by which to engage new faculty/classes/institutions and grow the WPEDU program.
10. Conclude a detailed Focus Group process that ensures the broad interests of Academia-students, faculty, administration and support staff-are understood and available for integration into the strategic plan (engagement opportunities and preferences, support structures, incentive considerations, etc.).
The first task of the AAC (formed in Phase III) should be to develop a survey which the WPEDU can administer to the broader academic community (faculty, staff, students, admin) to solicit feedback and suggestions for enhancing teaching and learning with WP.
- This should include suggestions for improved or additional resources needed from WPEDU to be successful in the program.
- The AAC can help with distribution of the survey through their own campus resources, professional organizations, etc. to increase the reach and variety of responses.
11. Identify and compile a detailed list of potential partners in industry and academia-foundations, large corporations, associations, etc. that might support longer-term funding and marketing requirements.
- With input from the AAC, WPEDU staff will compile this list during Phase III (June 2013-July 2015). It is critical that WPEDU be appropriately staffed, included a paid staff person dedicated to fund development
- Other notes related to the future WPEDU and faculty
- During Phase III (June 2013-July 2015; following the formation of a new structure), the priority of WPEDU must be to meet the needs of faculty/classes currently participating in the program.
- Once WPEDU is comfortable that is adequately serving its “current customers,” then the focus should shift to growth (while still maintaining current customers)
- WPEDU must make it easy for professors to “join the program.” We must be careful of contracts or other commitment related documents that are seen as “red tape.
- Create “Wikipedia Studies Foundation,” which supports the formation of Wikipedia Studies as an interdisciplinary academic field, which creates, catalogs, and promotes knowledge of the interplay between the mission of higher education (the creation and dissemination of original knowledge) and Wikipedia (making the sum of all human knowledge freely available). The Foundation will
- Create Wikipedia Studies, a peer-reviewed, CC-BY interdisciplinary journal
- Create Wikipedia Studies, a peer-reviewed, CC-BY interdisciplinary book series
- Promote and fund the presentation of peer-reviewed Wikipedia Studies content in existing academic conferences
- Continue the Wikipedia in Higher Education Summit
- Partner with academics in particular disciplines to regularly review and advise the Wikipedia community on topics of expertise, and create a badging system to reflect that knowledg
- Partner with academics in particular disciplines to define and promote the best practices of teaching with Wikipedia at the K-16 levels