Learning patterns/Workshop size

Learning Pattern Library

Workshop size

problemMany editing events are way too big and are less effective because of this.

solutionEvents with 5–7 new editors per experienced Wikipedian are really effective!

creator• Keilana

created on07:32, 1 October 2014 (UTC)

status:in progress

What problem does this solve?

A lot of editing events focus on getting large numbers of people through the door and not on nurturing individual new editors. They are also often not conducive to a welcoming social environment for new editors, especially when experienced editors gather together and "talk shop". This is fine, but does nothing for new editors, who could grow to be productive and fun members of the community.

What is the solution?

Host small workshops with 5–7 people per experienced Wikipedian. Organize people into "pods" so that people can socialize while they edit. It doesn't all have to be serious business! Station an experienced Wikipedian at each table to answer questions and help set people up with their first edits and articles.

Things to consider

• More people are okay when they're all experienced Wikipedians and don't need lots of help.
• If there's more than one experienced Wikipedian ready and willing to help out, obviously you can have more people.
• If new and to some extent experienced editors participate in a workshop, it may be better to divide them into two groups. Explaining something which the experienced editor already knows may make him/her bored and annoyed.

Examples

• More than 100 experienced and new editors participated in Wiki Camp Vanadzor 2014. They were divided into 3 groups: experienced editors, new editors and Syrian Armenian new editors who were editing in Western Armenian. During workshops each trainer had 5–6 editors to teach wiki editing tools.

When to use

• Literally use this at every workshop you run.
• See Grants:IEG/Women Scientists Workshop Development for why this is an awesome idea!

Endorsements

• AbhiSuryawanshi (talk) 05:21, 9 October 2014 (UTC)
• The activity should be more precisely describe. Own experience : 1–5 is better, 7 start to be messy. With these 5 people being on wikipedia.org, reading the interface, clicking around, calling for help when confused. Yug (talk) 09:35, 17 October 2014 (UTC)
• Wikimedia DC incorporated this learning pattern during its Workshop Facilitator Training in 2014. harej (talk) 20:34, 30 October 2014 (UTC)
• Smaller workshop size increases attention and is more individual --7amleh (talk) 07:05, 19 November 2018 (UTC)

See also