Tajik Wikimedians User Group/School Visit: Spreading Wikipedia Awareness Among Students

Members of the Tajik Wikimedians User Group visited No. 1 school in the city of Hisar, Tajikistan, aiming to raise awareness about Wikipedia and Wikimedia projects among young students. This event took place in two classes, one for third-graders and another for fifth-graders at No. 1 school, where the primary language of instruction is Russian, although the students speak both Tajiki and Russian.

Anastasia Lvova introducing Wikipedia

Engagement with Students

During this visit, our team member, Anastasia Lvova, interacted with the students. Anastasia started by asking the children questions about Wikipedia and encyclopedias in general. This approach was aimed at understanding how much the students already knew and encouraging them to think and ask more questions. Anastasia engaged the students in discussions, fostering a sense of curiosity and inquiry among them.

students answer the questions and engaged to the discussion

Importance of Engagement

The objective of this event was to introduce the students to Wikipedia and its significance in gathering information. By engaging the children in conversations and encouraging their questions, Anastasia aimed to spark their interest in exploring and learning through platforms like Wikipedia. Additionally, this engagement aimed to bridge the gap between the Tajik and Russian languages used in their studies and the content available on Wikipedia.

Impact and Awareness

The visit to No. 1 school in Hisar was a step towards increasing awareness about Wikimedia projects among the younger generation. By interacting with the students and discussing Wikipedia, the aim was to instill a sense of curiosity and inquiry, encouraging them to explore and utilize resources like Wikipedia to broaden their knowledge and understanding.

This visit was a valuable opportunity to introduce the students to Wikipedia and Wikimedia projects, hoping to inspire their curiosity and promote a sense of discovery and learning beyond traditional classroom settings. This event aimed to teach young students how to use encyclopedias effectively, guiding them on what information to trust and what to be cautious about.