Education/News/Drafts/From empty chairs to confident Wikimedia editors: The 2026 School Adoption journey at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology
Author: Ludo Chaunoda Matombo
Summary:
The School Adoption Program at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology began with low student turnout but evolved into a successful Wikimedia learning journey through continuous support, online office hours, and consistent follow-ups. Students gained practical skills in researching, referencing, and contributing to Wikidata and Wikipedia, demonstrating how sustained guidance can transform initial hesitation into confident participation while advancing open education practices in Botswana.
The first Wikimedia training session at Limkokwing had more empty chairs than students.
After weeks of waiting for administrative approvals, the School Adoption Program was finally ready to begin. The team was prepared, the training materials were ready, and the venue was booked. But when the session started, it became clear that most students did not yet understand what editing Wikidata or Wikipedia meant for them. That moment defined the rest of the program. This was not going to be a program driven by numbers on day one. It would be a program built on patience, persistence, and continuous support.
Changing the approach, not the goal
[edit]Instead of stopping, the team changed the approach. More awareness messages were shared across student platforms. Follow-ups were done individually. WhatsApp groups became active support spaces rather than simple announcement boards. Most importantly, online office hours were introduced, creating a space where students could edit live while asking questions in real time. Something shifted. Students who were unsure in the first session began to experiment. They asked questions. They made mistakes. They learned by doing. Participation did not grow overnight, but confidence did.
A closer look at editor performance
[edit]Contribution trackers revealed the depth of work produced across both Wikidata and Wikipedia.
Across six active student editors:
- 74 new Wikidata items were created
- 14 existing Wikidata items were improved
The students who stayed engaged made a remarkable impact through consistent, quality contributions.
Top contributors
KaoGalenamong — 118,819 words added | 527 references | 392 recent edits | 43 uploads
OtengPortia — 63,884 words added | 246 references | 99 uploads
Blackgirlmighty — 15,174 words added | 143 references
Other notable contributions:
Wikibogwasi — 6,352 words | 19 references | 111 uploads
Tsilele — 4,380 words | 29 references
Gaone1991 — 1,781 words | 6 references | 71 uploads
These numbers tell the real story. Students were not only learning how to edit; they were learning how to research, reference, document, and contribute knowledge that others can reuse.
Support made the difference
[edit]The turning point of the program was not a physical session. It was the online office hours. In these sessions, students shared screens, asked questions as they edited, and received immediate guidance. What felt intimidating during the first training became manageable when broken down step by step. The learning process became practical rather than theoretical. Consistent follow-ups and encouragement kept students motivated and engaged.
Recognition as motivation
[edit]To celebrate the effort and commitment of participants, an award ceremony was held and certificates were presented to all contributors. Recognizing the top editors validated the work students had put in and showed that their contributions to Wikimedia projects truly matter. For many of them, this was the first time their digital work was formally acknowledged.
What Limkokwing taught us about university adoption
[edit]The experience at Limkokwing demonstrated that introducing Wikimedia projects in a university setting is not about immediate turnout. It is about the support systems built after the first session.
Successful adoption requires:
- Building awareness before expecting participation
- Providing hands-on support rather than one-time training
- Following up consistently
- Creating safe spaces for students to learn by doing
- Recognizing effort to sustain motivation
What started with empty chairs ended with confident student editors who now understand that they can contribute to the world’s knowledge.
