November 20, 2019
Spring Planning: Student Log
For a couple of Wikipedia-supported classes now, I have had students keep a fairly formal journal in which they respond to the assigned texts (course content), outline what they’re learning about writing on Wikipedia (writing), and comment on each others ideas (community). By keeping it on Wikipedia, they learn to use the key elements of the platform, like formatting, linking, and referencing.
This semester, I had them write two posts per week for ten weeks. This is too much for them and for me to keep up with. I think they need a less-formal approach, but one that is still organized and allows them frequent exposure to the MediaWiki platform. How about . . .
3Cs Log
An important requirement for this course is an informal log that you will on Wikipedia. The log emphasizes three goals, or “Three Cs”:
- Engaging Course Content: The topic or project you’re working on.
- Learning MediaWiki-Specific Composition: The skills you’re learning about the best practices for writing on Wikipedia.
- Building Community: Comments, feedback, and assistance you give to your classmates.
An important part of education is working through problems in a way that will help your community. When we document our process and struggles, we can better learn from both our successes and failures. By sharing our understanding — our insights, discoveries, frustrations, and epiphanies — we can help clarify the process for ourselves and help strengthen the community we’re building.
The 3Cs Log targets several goals:
- Documenting your work;
- Reflecting on your progress;
- Practicing your writing and wiki skills;
- Planning your work; and
- Helping others who might be facing similar challenges.
Entries should reflect the goals above, but not all will nor should be addressed every time your write. Think of entries a daily accounting on what you accomplished toward your ultimate goal of completing the course requirements. Your log should document your semester’s work and could stand as evidence of your course engagement. If your goal is an A in the course, your 3Cs Log should prove your deserve it.
Log Location
Your 3Cs Log should not be a single formal document. Instead, each entry should appear on an appropriate talk page on Wikipedia, most often your own user talk page, but sometimes an article’s talk page and another user’s talk page for comments and discussion.
Frequency and Format of Entries
Every time you work on Wikipedia or class work, you should document it with an entry. Entries should range from 50–200 words. They should be focused.
