Thread by @k8shep

Thanks to 2 grants, from @NEHgov and @usedgov, I worked with @WikiEducation to create a project for my #HSCI in Latin America class at @MissouriSandT/@sandtcasb. Sharing links in thread to edited articles on @Wikipedia. Students did AMAZING work. Almost 1 million total views!

First rule in this project was NOT to underestimate how hard undergrads work to produce quality research. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chapultep…

Second rule: Trust students to be experts! They need to hear that they can be. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_…

Sometimes we forget that students can be passionate about a topic in a class outside of their major. Wiki Education has helped me remember that! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K'iche'_p…

Two groups worked on editing this one. They were so excited to work from REAL books. Check out the table they added! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aztec_med…

I got to work with students side-by-side every week to discuss in detail their ideas. They had a blast. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_m…

I also had fun, getting to talk through research problems: what is a reliable source? What does this mean? How do I say it right? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incan_agr…

Students take pride in their work. This one has almost 500K views in itself. Our editors are pumped. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machu_Pic…

Many students claimed they worked harder on this project (adding around 500 words) than they would have on a 10-page paper. AND THEY LIKED IT. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popol_Vuh

This group had to do art history, archaeology, and history of science. #interdisciplinary work is crucial! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_cera…

Some additions could have amounted to a completely new article. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inca_soci…

This group had to deal with an angry Wikipedian who tried to revert their work. But they got through it and their edits make the article: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aztec_soc…

My main takeaways--TRUST students to do reliable work; students are EXCITED about new ideas and pedagogical tools (and their excitement is contagious!); students LEARN by doing and exams are not the only way to accomplish that.

Also, so many thanks to @jstew511 and @ragesoss for encouraging me to go this route! It was so fun and I can't wait to do it again next semester with a different class.