Many thanks for this, Fabian.

To clarify: in addition to what Fabian is saying, Wikimedia UK also runs a Campus Ambassadors programme, which is designed to gather individuals working (or wanting to work) directly with Universities and Colleges around the UK.  Details available here: https://wikimedia.org.uk/wiki/Ambassadors

There are significant overlaps between Campus Ambassadors and Online Ambassadors of course, but Campus Ambassadors are normally WMUK's first point of contact at any particular institution, or someone within a geographic reach to enable face-to-face interaction with educators and/or students on a particular campus, especially around the use of the courses extension.

Kind regards,

Toni


---
Dr Toni Sant - Education Organiser, Wikimedia UK
toni.sant@wikimedia.org.uk     +44 (0)7885 980 536

Wikimedia UK is a Company Limited by Guarantee registered in England and
Wales, Registered No. 6741827. Registered Charity No.1144513. Registered
Office 4th Floor, Development House, 56-64 Leonard Street, London EC2A 4LT.
United Kingdom. Wikimedia UK is the UK chapter of a global Wikimedia
movement. The Wikimedia projects are run by the Wikimedia Foundation (who
operate Wikipedia, amongst other projects).

*Wikimedia UK is an independent non-profit charity with no legal control
over Wikipedia nor responsibility for its contents.*



On 25 February 2015 at 12:22, Fabian Tompsett <fabian.tompsett@wikimedia.org.uk> wrote:
Hi all,

Following Edward's email I would encourage anyone involved in editathons or who is interested in becoming either an online or campus ambassador to check out:

Wikipedia:Education program/Ambassadors

At the bottom of the page are links to apply for online and campus ambassador userrights. These then show up on the Wikipedia:Education noticeboard. Established Wikimedians will have no problem getting userrights, but sometimes the process needs a bit of nudge to get it sorted out a bit quicker.

Currently this is very much addressed to supporting the Education Program, especially in the USA/Canada. However, various wikimedians in different chapters across the world (eg
Education Program:Cascadia Wikimedians User Group) are experimenting with using it to run editathons. the Cinema Museum editathon is one of these in the UK.

This piloting will enable us to:
  • identify how effective the extension is
  • identify how it might be adapted to be more useful for editathons
  • get feedback as regards how friendly people find the interface
Of course, obtaining campus or ambassador userrights also enables wikimedians to interact more effectively with students on one of the courses, whether in the UK or further a field.

One issue that warrants further consideration is the extent to which students get involved with Wikipedia in one of these courses, but never appreciate the existence of the broader Wikimedian community around them. Whilst we wouldn't want to be disruptive to the class by pushing community involvement too hard, we can explore appropriate ways to highlight opportunities to the students with the approval of the academics running the courses.

I think there is a lot of room for thought about this.


all the best

Fabian Tompsett,
Volunteer Support Organiser,
Wikimedia UK,
Address: 56-64 Leonard St,
Shoreditch,
London EC2A 4LT
Phone:020 7065 0990
Mobile: 07840 455 746


Wikimedia UK is a Company Limited by Guarantee registered in England and Wales, Registered No. 6741827. Registered Charity No.1144513. Registered Office 4th Floor, Development House, 56-64 Leonard Street, London EC2A 4LT. United Kingdom. Wikimedia UK is the UK chapter of a global Wikimedia movement. The Wikimedia projects are run by the Wikimedia Foundation (who operate Wikipedia, amongst other projects).

 
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