Education/News/August 2024/Wiki Education programs are featured in a scientific outreach magazine, and Wiki Movimento Brasil offers training for researchers in the Amazon
Wiki Education programs are featured in a scientific outreach magazine, and Wiki Movimento Brasil offers training for researchers in the Amazon.
Brazilian wiki-education experiences are highlighted in FAPESP Magazine
The valuable contributions of Brazilian educators to educational projects on Wikimedia platforms were prominently featured in the 341st issue of the magazine Pesquisa FAPESP (São Paulo Research Foundation) from July 2024. The article underscores the significant impact of these initiatives, which have engaged researchers and students from a diverse array of 35 Brazilian universities. These efforts have yielded tangible improvements to Wikipedia entries, thereby enhancing the depth of scientific content based on empirical evidence. Additionally, the dissemination of content on Wikimedia Commons and Wikiversity has markedly broadened the accessibility of scientific knowledge.
Concrete examples of such endeavors were explored in the article, notably inclusive of impactful collaborations with Wiki Movimento Brasil. The article spotlighted various projects, including the Laboratório Mulheres Indígenas na Wikipédia at the Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF) and the Extension Course at the Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso (UFMT), both of which have notably enriched the repository of knowledge on Wikipedia with indigenous historical and quilombola cultural content.
Furthermore, the Poli-USP Scientific Initiation Project at the Universidade de São Paulo (USP) and the Hearing Health Project at the Bauru School of Dentistry (FOB/USP) received commendable mention for their endeavors in advancing the cause of open and accessible science. Alexander Hilsenbeck, manager of education and scientific dissemination at Wiki Movimento Brasil, expounded on the paramount importance of collaborative knowledge production, underscoring the commendable role of WikiConecta, a free and open course offered by Wiki Movimento Brasil. This program aptly equips teachers to effectively engage with Wikimedia projects, thereby fostering an environment conducive to open and accessible science.
For additional insights, it is recommended to refer to issue 341 of the FAPESP magazine.
Wiki Movimento Brasil training for Brazilian researchers in the Amazon
Wiki Movimento Brasil partners with Brazilian universities to provide training on Wikimedia projects to students and teachers. The team presents basic tutorials on editing Wikimedia projects during the meetings so that students can confidently participate in the proposed activities.
On July 19, WMB conducted a preliminary training session on editing Wikipedia for students from the National Institute of Science and Technology – Center for Studies on Aquatic Adaptations in the Amazon (INCT-Adapta) with the aim of providing training to participants. Following this, in partnership with Wiki Movimento Brasil, INCT-Adapta organized the INCT-Adapta Amazon Research Editathon from July 22 to 29.
During the Editathon week, communications expert and journalist Tiago Mota (INCT-Adapta) and the WMB's education and scientific dissemination management team were available to assist researchers, facilitating the editing process and contributing to the success of the initiative. The initiative seeks to update Wikipedia entries with recent information and discoveries related to the Amazon, focusing particularly on INCT-Adapta's themes.
Participants during the Editathon updated existing entries on Wikipedia, adding research results and studies about the Amazon. The goal is to ensure that the knowledge generated by INCT-Adapta is widely accessible and contributes to a greater global understanding of the Amazon.
INCT-Adapta conducts research on how aquatic organisms in the Amazon adapt to environmental changes, whether natural or caused by human actions. With financial support from various organizations, including the Amazonas State Research Support Foundation (FAPEAM), the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), and the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), INCT-Adapta seeks to contribute to the understanding and preservation of biodiversity.
WikiConecta: more than 30 Brazilian educators are already using the course's tools and strategies to use Wikimedia projects
To assist educators across various fields of knowledge and undergraduate courses in utilizing Wikimedia projects with their students, Wiki Movimento Brasil (WMB) has created WikiConecta, an asynchronous, online course that is free to access and comes with certification. The course is designed specifically for digital university extension and aims to enhance students' engagement with the free knowledge ecosystem.
WikiConecta provides information in a simple and instructive manner, with testimonials from other educators who share their experiences. This enables participants to join a network of best practices and receive practical suggestions and support to implement their own wiki-education programs.
The course, which requires 20 hours to complete, allows participants to work at their own pace and provides training for basic editing on four platforms: Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, Wikidata, and Wikiversity. Additionally, it offers guidance on where to seek funding to support educational initiatives.
Currently, over 30 Brazilian educators have enrolled in the course, taking advantage of the resources and certification provided. These educators are using the tools and strategies taught in the course to enhance their students' learning experiences.
The use of these Open Educational Resources facilitates collaborative knowledge production and the creation of virtual spaces for sharing information. This enables students to develop skills in media and information literacy, formal writing and critical reading, computer literacy, and critical data analysis.
To participate, simply visit the on Wikiversity, create an account, and register.