W15.2.2 June 14 (Fri)—ZHANG MINGSHUO

 What did I learn while editing Wikipedia?

The semester focused on Wikipedia, offering a practical course that was a unique experience in my academic career. I learned how to start editing on Wikipedia, selecting articles that were missing from the English or Chinese Wikipedia for translation, and posting them in the appropriate sandbox. The process involved learning both practical skills and theoretical knowledge, such as watching the professor's weekly videos on Wikipedia and reading articles on sister sites.

I also learned how to collect and organize information effectively. This involved obtaining information from various authoritative sources, such as books, journals, and official websites, and learning to identify the authenticity and reliability of this information. Wikipedia editors emphasize citing reliable sources and avoiding original research, requiring me to be meticulous during the information gathering process to ensure the credibility of each source. This strict requirement enhanced my ability to analyze and judge information.

Furthermore, translating articles and editing Wikipedia taught me how to publish quality content. Wikipedia has stringent quality requirements, and all content must adhere to its rules and guidelines. Through this course, I learned how to write articles that meet Wikipedia's standards, including how to write neutral and objective content, properly cite sources, and more.

Translating Wikipedia articles also helped improve my cross-cultural communication and cooperation skills. The process required not only converting words from one language to another but also considering expressions and cultural habits of different countries. This required good language skills and cultural sensitivity to understand and respect cultural differences.

I believe the skills I have learned will be useful not only for editing Wikipedia but also for future academic writing and web publishing.

How is this assignment different from more traditional student assignments?

Editing Wikipedia is a weekly task that differs significantly from traditional student work. Traditional assignments are based on topics assigned by the professor, limiting their flexibility. In contrast, editing Wikipedia is open-ended, allowing me to choose areas of interest to edit and explore. This not only expands my knowledge but also stimulates my interest and passion for learning.

Wikipedia’s editing assignments reflect the idea of sharing and open learning. Traditional student assignments are often done individually, whereas Wikipedia encourages collaboration with editors from around the world. For example, working together to improve an article and sharing knowledge and insights. By communicating and discussing my edits with other editors, I learn from around the world. This collaborative experience demonstrates the power and fun of teamwork, which is different from the traditional experience of completing a limited task in a group.

Traditional student assignments are often confined to the classroom, with a single task topic and a fixed format. Wikipedia editing assignments require practical ability and creativity. Not only do I have to write the article, but I also have to edit, review, and translate it. These processes are full of challenges and variables. Additionally, seeing my edited articles posted on Wikipedia for global users provides a sense of achievement that traditional assignments cannot offer.

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