In response to the inclusion of Wikipedia lessons within Indic language curricula observed in 2024, A2K has begun developing a comprehensive training module for language educators. Leveraging their expertise, A2K aims to empower educators to navigate and contribute effectively to Wikipedia, ultimately enhancing digital literacy and educational outcomes. This effort will commence with a pilot program focused on Telugu Wikipedia.
Background
editThe curriculum for certain Indic languages as of 2024 includes a lesson or segment about their respective language Wikipedia. For instance, the second-semester Telugu-language textbook for undergraduate students in Andhra Pradesh integrates content about Telugu Wikipedia within the 'Telugu Language and Technology' lesson. This addition to the curriculum occurred after 2021, and similar incorporations regarding Indic Wikipedias have been noted in textbooks for other Indian languages. Given A2K's previous efforts to promote Wikimedia projects and contributions within curricula, this presents a significant opportunity for collaboration.
Access to Knowledge aims to introduce a training module for language educators. This module will provide educators with a deeper understanding of Wikipedia and its functionality, with a focus on facilitating their contributions to Wikipedia.
Programs
editTelugu Wikipedia training to Telugu Lecturers
editTelugu Wikipedia training to Telugu Lecturers is a program aimed to help Telugu language lecturers of Andhra Pradesh to learn about basics of Telugu Wikipedia and support interested participants in learning how to contribute to Telugu Wikipedia. Access to Knowledge Program is currently collaborating with DRG Government Degree College, Tadepalligudem to roll-out a training session and subsequent certificate course to Telugu Lecturers from East and West Godavari Districts. Eventually, this program will be rolled out to rest of the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana States.
Events
edit- Event
- Telugu Wikipedia Training Session for Telugu Lecturers of Godavari Districts
- Dates
- 19 and 20 April 2024
- Participants
- Participants primarily include Telugu-language lecturers from Government and Aided Degree Colleges of former East and West Godavari Districts of Andhra Pradesh.
- Program
- Program includes teaching participants about basic policies and guidelines of Telugu Wikipedia including it's style guide, helping participants understand how wikipedia works which includes training on creating their user account, editing wikipedia pages, and identifying issues with existing Wikipedia pages.
- More details
- Discussion at Telugu Wikipedia Village Pump
Report
editThe Telugu Wikipedia Training Session for Telugu Lecturers from the former East and West Godavari Districts of Andhra Pradesh was held on April 19–20, 2024, at Pentapadu Degree College, Tadepalligudem. Organized by Pavan Santhosh, the session aimed to familiarize Telugu-language lecturers with the basics of contributing to Telugu Wikipedia.
Participants attended six sessions spread over two days, where they were introduced to major Wikipedia policies such as Verifiability, Neutral Point of View, No Plagiarism, and key points from the Telugu Wikipedia Style Guide. Each participant worked on an existing article on Telugu Wikipedia, mostly biographies of Telugu poets and writers, applying the policies and guidelines discussed during the sessions. The sessions included reviewing and improving the articles with a focus on understanding Wikipedia’s editorial standards.
Upon the request of participants, an additional session provided an overview of Telugu Unicode and blogging platforms, offering insights into their use for teaching and digital content creation in colleges.
The venue, Pentapadu Degree College, is located five kilometers from the nearest railway station. While rural challenges such as power cuts were present, backup generators ensured that the sessions continued as planned. Local logistical support was provided by Dr. Sunkara Gopal and Dr. Ramachandrudu from the host college. A total of 20 participants attended the event, while most of them are from Former East and West Godavari Districts, a couple of participants were from other areas like Krishna and Chittoor Districts.
Telugu Wikimedian Nomula Prabhakar Goud attended the session as an observer. Participants included Telugu-language lecturers from government and aided degree colleges in the region. The event focused on enabling attendees to engage with Wikipedia and understand its practices better, with plans to expand similar training programs to other regions in the future.