EduWiki was a day-and-a-half conference looking at Wikipedia, Wikiversity and related charitable projects, not in terms of educational resources, but educational practice, including collaboration, open review, and global participation. It was a chance to talk about innovative work in your classroom, your institution or online community, and shape the future of Wikimedia UK's work in this area.
We explored the ways these projects can support innovative education. We discussed the Wikipedia Education Program (in which university students improve Wikipedia articles for course credit). We learned from universities where the program is already embedded, exploring the educational opportunities and drawing lessons from the experience so far.
Themes
Who was it for?
The Wikipedia Education Program
Open Educational Resources
Critical thinking, digital literacy and wiki-literacy
Assessment and accreditation
Open learning communities such as Wikiversity
Secondary and further education
The meanings and benefits of "open" education
Educators in universities and schools
Support staff from institutions and funding bodies, including management, staff developers, learning designers, and librarians
Not being an education provider or likely contributor to the event, I was thrilled to bits to be asked and even more thrilled to be able to attend. Leaving with increased enthusiasm towards the Wikimedia project, I have now applied to become a member and have gained just enough confidence to start contributing to articles. Once again, thanks and I look forward to the continued growth and hopefully my useful participation in what has to be a truly exciting effort towards an informed global community.
The summary of the delegates' feedback can be seen here.
Outcomes
Apart from raised awareness of our Education work, there was a number of concrete relationships that have been moved forward as a result of the conversations during the conference. A selection of these include:
NIACE conference - Innovating Learning on 4/12/2012
Attendees included representatives from:
Bishop Grosseteste University College Lincoln,
British Library,
British Psychological Society,
De Montfort University,
ITESM-CCM,
JISC,
Medical Research Council,
University of Manchester,
NIACE,
Royal Veterinary College,
Sheffield Hallam University,
University of Adelaide,
University of Bradford,
University of Cambridge,
University of Coventry,
University of Exeter,
University of Hull,
University of Leicester,
University of Liverpool,
University of Loughborough.
Programme
The conference ran from Wednesday morning until after lunch on Thursday.
Keynote: Annie Lin (Global Education Program Manager, Wikimedia Foundation), Wikipedia and Education globally(YouTube); (Slides)
11.30–12.00
Presentation: Cornelia Trefflich (Wikimedia Deutschland), How Wikimedia has developed ways to support educators and other target groups(YouTube); (Slides)
Presentations: Wikipedia in university teaching Dr Toni Sant (University of Hull @ Scarborough), Wikipedia Assignments & Assessment(YouTube) Phil Wane (Nottingham Trent University), Wikipedia books(YouTube); (Slides)
Panel discussion: Openness in UK Higher Education Amber Thomas (Programme Manager, Digital Infrastructure, JISC) Sarah Currier (Jorum Service Manager, University of Manchester, Mimas) (Slides) Terry McAndrew (Advisor, JISC TechDis) Martin Poulter (Associate, Wikimedia UK)
Evening: coaches into central Leicester and a cultural tour of Leicester Guildhall.
Thursday 6 September
Thursday
09.00–09.30
Registration and Tea/Coffee
09:30–10:50
Presentations: The bigger picture
Keynote: Amber Thomas (Programme Manager, Digital Infrastructure, JISC) on Wikipedia in universities and colleges(YouTube); (Slides)
with a response by Martin Poulter for Wikimedia UK
10.50–11.10
Coffee
11.10–12.10
Panel discussion: Assessment and accreditation in an age of open learning Doug Belshaw (The Mozilla Foundation), on Open Badges Lawrie Phipps (Programme Manager, Users and Innovation, JISC) Leigh Thelmadatter (ITESM, Mexico)
12.10–13.10
Presentations and discussion: Next steps
Chris Trace (e-Learning Coordinator at the WikiVet project) (YouTube); (Slides)
Martin Poulter (WMUK), What will you do now? Being a wiki advocate within a university
13.10–14.30
Lunch
14.30–16.30
Wikipedia training workshop - offered for the Wikipedia newcomers so they can learn more about how Wikipedia works and how to contribute.
Getting there
Venue and travel
University's Oadby campus; Stamford Hall's postcode is LE2 2ND, while John Foster Hall is LE2 2LG.
Leicester's location within Leicestershire and the rest of the UK
Train. Leicester has a main line direct connection to London St Pancras (travel time around 75 minutes). The north and the Midlands are connected via East Midlands Trains with regular connections to Sheffield, Leeds, Birmingham and Lincoln.
Taxi. The campus is 3 miles from the Leicester Rail Station. It takes approximately 10 minutes and costs around £6 to the Oadby Campus and NOT the University of Leicester.
Bus. Route 31/A from City Centre via Leicester train station to the Halls of Residence
Air. East Midlands Airport, Birmingham International Airport, Luton, Gatwick, Stansted and Heathrow all have connections to Leicester. Please see here for more details.
Built in 1907, Stamford Hall combines oak-panelled rooms with modern facilities and wi-fi. Free car-park on site was provided, so was lunch and refreshments on both days.
The rooms and dining area are all on the ground floor and the buildings have access ramps. A disabled toilet is available close to the meeting rooms.
Bed-and-breakfast accommodation was available at John Foster Hall, a few minutes' walk from Stamford Hall. The rooms included en-suite bathroom and shower, wired internet access and access to a kitchen/ shared space. The cost was £40.80 per night including VAT.
Volunteers presenting/helping during the event
Wikimedia UK volunteers coming to deliver a talk/help on the day were offered expenses support.
We were not able to support Wikimedians coming to the conference as participants.
Any Questions?
Contact Daria on daria.cybulskawikimedia.org.uk.
Costing breakdown can be found here.
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EduWiki Conference 2012
