Wiki Training Syllabus

Total time estimate: > 22 hours

Module 1: Introduction
The first module begins with a brainstorm to assess your entry-level knowledge of extractives issues. It follows with an introduction to Wikipedia, which includes a "tour" to demonstrate some of Wikipedia's common uses and features, including featured articles, disputed articles and stubs, among others.

Module Length: 105 min

Full contents at Wiki Training Syllabus (Module 1)

Module 2: User profiles and text editing basics
The second module introduces you to the concept of user profiles and usernames. This stresses the importance of usernames for editing transparency and identity reaffirmation for each editor, and takes you through some features commonly included on user profiles.

The module also covers text editing basics by demonstrating common functions such as italics, bullet points and internal links that they will use in the editing process. An additional component is an overview of article development, demonstrating how an article expands as more text and edits are added.

This module includes two interactive exercises, one each for the user profile and text editing basics.

Module Length: 135 min

Full contents at Wiki Training Syllabus (Module 2)

Module 3: Page-level editing
The module introduces you to the page-level structure of the oil wiki, including templates for the structure of articles on IOCs, oil/gas fields, infrastructure and other topics. This involves a technical lesson on how to create section subheadings within an article. You are also introduced to block quotes and images.

The fifth module includes two exercises, one each for subheadings and images.

Module Length: 140 mins

Full content at Wiki Training Syllabus (Module 3)

Module 4: Wikis and the value of collaborative work
This module introduces the fundamental principles on which wikis are formed, including the use of free, open-source content, a collaborative editing culture, and the importance of neutral point of view. While the oil wikis have much in common with Wikipedia, this module also stresses the differences between the two -- primarily, that Wikipedia is open for editing by all, while oil wikis are limited to a closed group of editors.

Module Length: 50 mins

Full contents at Wiki Training Syllabus (Module 4)

Module 5: References
The fifth module introduces you to references on both conceptual and technical levels. The conceptual component addresses why referencing is essential to the wiki concept - i.e. because wikis are not original research and references are necessary to ground text in fact.

The technical aspect then demonstrates what information references should contain, and how to insert referencing code with proper formatting. You are also briefed on common referencing mistakes to avoid.

The module includes two exercises covering technical aspects of referencing.

Module Length: 155 mins

Full contents at Wiki Training Syllabus (Module 5)

Module 6: Research skills and sources
You learn about the research that comes into play over the development of a wiki. This includes the identification of reliable online sources, the role of Google searches and Wikipedia, and a tutorial on Google alerts.

The module includes one exercise on setting up a Google alert, as well as a brainstorm where you discuss and identify key sources of information that are applicable in a local context.

Module Length: 105 mins

Full contents at Wiki Training Syllabus (Module 6)

Module 7: Editing, discussion pages and watchlists
The module introduces discussion pages, comments, and watchlists as mechanisms for collaborative editing. It covers what discussion pages and comments sections should be used for - proposing new articles; discussing edits; sharing material; verifying facts - and shouldn't be used for - spouting personal views; making comments about other contributors; straying onto other topics. It also covers wiki etiquette and basic copy-editing guidelines to minimize 'edit wars' and help make the collaborative editing process more constructive.

The module includes a cross-editing exercise, where you edit and comment on other trainees' articles, to simulate the collaborative editing process.

Module Length: 175 mins.

Full contents at Wiki Training Syllabus (Module 7)

Module 8: Categorization and wiki structure
The module introduces the oil wiki categories, making use of a 'category tree' to illustrate wiki's overall structure. You learn about the policy of multiple categories to identify each article by country and topic, as well as the technical aspects of category creation. This module also introduces the project page, both its purpose as a front-end to the oil wikis and a primer on the technical aspects of their creation.

This module contains one exercise for categorization.

Module Length: 100 mins

Full contents at Wiki Training Syllabus (Module 8)

Module 9: Mediawiki anatomy and user groups
This module explains the concept of user hierarchy and user group permission levels and makes a distinction between editors and system admins. It also covers the role of admins and editors in maintaining the wiki's quality control, and introduces wiki metrics (statistics) as a tool of accountability whereby admins can see all activity taking place on the wiki.

The module includes an exercise that takes you on a tour through user rights management to show them generally how admin, group permissions, and user rights work.

Module Length: 125 mins

Full contents at Wiki Training Syllabus (Module 9)

Module 10: Book collection and video intro
The module explains how the oil wiki goes from online to print, demonstrating the book-collection function of the MediaWiki software. You are also introduced to the video concept - how video works and what it adds to the project - though actual filming is to take place subsequently after all training modules are complete.

The module contains one exercise in which you create books by collecting their sample articles and then exporting to the formats PDF and ODT.

Module Length: 75 mins

Full contents at Wiki Training Syllabus (Module 10)