Wikimedia Libya Community co-organized The Arabic Wikidata Days 2024, which is a practical activity dedicated to enhancing Arabic and Libyan content on Wikidata, focusing on improving data accuracy, coverage, and quality. This collaboration is designed to empower participants with tools and skills to contribute to structured data in Arabic.
Introduce Wikidata to new Libyan contributors and integrate its use in Wikimedia projects.
Develop advanced skills in data science and integration using tools like OpenRefine, Wikibase-cli, and SPARQL Query Service.
Description
Beginners and Advanced Wikidata Training
The program was designed to cater to two distinct groups:
Beginners Track: Targeted established Wikimedia users, equipping them with foundational knowledge of Wikidata.
Advanced Track: Tailored towards computer science and data science students and enthusiasts, focusing on advanced concepts like SPARQL, data modeling, and automated tools.
Trainees: The following list has been retrieved from the event's page on Wikidata. Kindly identify additional participants from various communities other than the Libyan community.
To ensure seamless planning and execution, the following preparatory meetings were held:
14 June 2024: Initial meeting to outline objectives, roles, and logistics for the program.
14 July 2024: Follow-up meeting to finalize session content, participant outreach, and coordination among team members, including supervisors, coordinators, facilitators, and lecturers.
2. Key Sessions and Highlights
The training program included a series of sessions tailored for both beginners and advanced participants. Further details can be found on the event's page on Wikidata.
29 October 2024: Introductory sessions for both beginners and advanced participants, covering foundational concepts and advanced applications of Wikidata.
Introduction to Wikidata basics and editing techniques.
Connecting Wikidata with Wikipedia articles.
3 November 2024: Practical session focusing on hands-on editing and data modeling.
5 November 2024: Advanced session dedicated to tools and data science applications.
6 November 2024: Practical session to reinforce skills from previous sessions.
7 November 2024: Advanced-level practical session.
9 November 2024: Comprehensive training on SPARQL Query Service for advanced participants.
15 November 2024: Practical session emphasizing collaborative editing and troubleshooting.
18 November 2024: Practical session centered on using Wikibase-cli and SPARQL.
23 November 2024: Hands-on session for applying knowledge.
30 November 2024: Final practical session for the month, focusing on project submissions.
16 December 2024: Advanced practical session to refine participants’ Wikidata skills.
201 Items Created: Participants successfully created new items, enriching the Arabic content on Wikidata with high-quality, structured data.
252 Items Edited: Existing items were refined, ensuring greater completeness.
1.4K Total Edits: A volume of edits demonstrated active engagement and the application of skills acquired during the sessions.
18 Trainees Progress Monitored: The progress of participants was closely tracked to provide personalized feedback and ensure they met their learning objectives.
Outcomes
Empowered Participants: Trainees gained hands-on experience in creating and managing structured data, bridging knowledge gaps in Wikidata contributions.
Improved Arabic Wikidata Content: The program directly enhanced the quality and quantity of Arabic-language entries.
Collaboration and Networking: Participants fostered connections within the Wikidata community, paving the way for future collaborative projects.