Wikipedia:Wiki Ed/Leeward Community College, University of Hawaii/Introduction to Zoology (Fall 2021)
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- Course name
- Introduction to Zoology
- Institution
- Leeward Community College, University of Hawaii
- Instructor
- Alyssa MacDonald
- Wikipedia Expert
- Ian (Wiki Ed)
- Subject
- Zoology
- Course dates
- 2021-08-23 00:00:00 UTC – 2021-12-17 23:59:59 UTC
- Approximate number of student editors
- 20
This course is an introduction to the study of animal life. We will discuss animal physiology, reproduction, and life histories, as well as evolution of animal life, the interaction of organisms in their environment, food chains and trophic levels, and ecological distributions. Representative animal phyla including both invertebrates and vertebrates are studied from the viewpoint of systematics and structural characters with special emphasis on Hawaiian species. I taught this course the first time last semester and noticed that 1) students often use google (and often wikipedia) for their homework, but use the first things that come up in their searches, and 2) Hawaiiʻs species, environments and locations are underrepresented on Wikipedia. This often leads to students discussing species occurring in North America instead of local species. I would like to add a Wikipedia assignment to 1) help my students with digital literacy, improved understanding of plagiarism, use of references as well as improved communication skills, and 2) increase information on Wikipedia of native Hawaiian animal species.
Timeline
Week 1
- Course meetings
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- Monday, 23 August 2021
- In class - Introduction to the Wikipedia assignment
Welcome to your Wikipedia assignment's course timeline. This page guides you through the steps you'll need to complete for your Wikipedia assignment, with links to training modules and your classmates' work spaces.
You will contribute to Wikipedia by adding 1 species entry of an animal species native to Hawaiʻi. You can choose anything within the taxonomic groups Arthropods, Mollusks, Birds, or Fish.
Your course has been assigned a Wikipedia Expert. You can reach them through the Get Help button at the top of this page.
Resources:
- Editing Wikipedia, pages 1–5
- Evaluating Wikipedia
- Milestones
This week, everyone should have a Wikipedia account.
Week 2
- Course meetings
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- Monday, 30 August 2021
- Assignment - Get started on Wikipedia
Create an account and join this course page, using the enrollment link your instructor sent you. (Because of Wikipedia's technical restraints, you may receive a message that you cannot create an account. To resolve this, please try again off campus or the next day.)
Week 3
- Course meetings
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- Monday, 6 September 2021
- Assignment - Evaluate Wikipedia
- Assignment - Discussion
- Assignment - Choose possible topics
Resource: Editing Wikipedia, page 6
Choose an animal species native to Hawaiʻi (endemic species are ok, alien or introduced species are not) within the taxonomic groups Arthropods, Mollusks, Birds, or Fish. Make sure the species is not already in Wikipedia and that there are at least 5 references available (digital or in analog format at the Leeward CC library). Please submit your choice on Laulima in the Week 3 Tab link.
Week 4
- Course meetings
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- Monday, 13 September 2021
- Assignment - Add to an article
- Assignment - Exercise
You will need at least 5 reputable sources for your final article. These sources can be available online or at our Leeward CC library.
Check library/librarian (link)
Week 5
- Course meetings
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- Monday, 20 September 2021
- Assignment - Start drafting your contributions
Reach out to your Wikipedia Expert if you have questions using the Get Help button at the top of this page.
Resource: Editing Wikipedia, pages 7–9
- Guide(s) for writing articles in your topic area
- Milestones
Everyone has begun writing their article drafts.
By the end of this week your draft will have at least the following: Title, lead section (including common, Hawaiian and scientific name), a wiki taxa box, and some info on Conservation Status.
Week 6
- Course meetings
-
- Monday, 27 September 2021
Week 7
- Course meetings
-
- Monday, 4 October 2021
- Assignment - Continue writing and finalize first draft
Expand your sections on Anatomy & Morphology, Distribution & Habitat, Cultural Importance
Week 8
- Course meetings
-
- Monday, 11 October 2021
- Assignment - Peer review two articles
- Milestones
Every student has finished reviewing their assigned articles, making sure that every article has been reviewed.
Week 9
- Course meetings
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- Monday, 18 October 2021
- Assignment - Respond to your peer review
You probably have some feedback from other students and possibly other Wikipedians. Consider their suggestions, decide whether it makes your work more accurate and complete, and edit your draft to make those changes.
Resources:
- Editing Wikipedia, pages 12 and 14
- Reach out to your Wikipedia Expert if you have any questions.
Week 10
- Course meetings
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- Monday, 25 October 2021
- Assignment - Begin moving your work to Wikipedia
Now that you've improved your draft based on others' feedback, it's time to move your work live - to the "mainspace."
Resource: Editing Wikipedia, page 13
- Assignment - Continue improving your article
Now's the time to revisit your text and refine your work. You may do more research and find missing information; rewrite the lead section to represent all major points; reorganize the text to communicate the information better; or add images and other media.
Week 11
- Course meetings
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- Monday, 1 November 2021
- Assignment - Polish your work
Continue to expand and improve your work, and format your article to match Wikipedia's tone and standards. Remember to contact your Wikipedia Expert at any time if you need further help!
Week 12
- Course meetings
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- Monday, 8 November 2021
- Assignment - Final article
It's the final week to develop your article.
- Read Editing Wikipedia page 15 to review a final check-list before completing your assignment.
- Don't forget that you can ask for help from your Wikipedia Expert at any time!
Week 13
- Course meetings
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- Monday, 15 November 2021
- Assignment - Reflective essay - Submit on Laulima
- Milestones
Everyone should have finished all of the work they'll do on Wikipedia, and be ready for grading.