Wikipedia & Education User Group/Background
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Background
[edit]Why a Theory of Change for the Wikipedia and Education User Group
[edit]The Wikipedia & Education User Group (EduWiki UG) is currently the only affiliate recognized by the Wikimedia Foundation (WMF) as a global group solely focused on promoting education-related Wikimedia initiatives/programs/activities. Since 2018, it has been facilitating, supporting, and advocating for the integration of Wikipedia and its sister projects into academic curricula within the Wikimedia Movement and beyond (Open Education and Open Knowledge movements). It supports the scaling of local and global educational efforts and elevates the narrative beyond our movement. To achieve these goals, the group has worked closely with the WMF Education Team and other affiliates, undertaking various activities, including (1) the EduWiki Knowledge Showcase; (2) conferences; (3) mentorship; (4) support for local education programs; (5) events; and (6) training for the community. The group's governance includes board members and advisors, comprising diverse Education program leaders, in coordination with the Wikimedia Education Team. Members are spread across various countries, and since 2018, the group has led efforts on a volunteer basis.
In 2023, the EduWiki UG initiated the collaborative development of a plan for a next-generation collaboration model. Simultaneously, the Wikimedia Movement Strategy process identified a new organizational model, a “Thematic Hub”, which shares common themes with the EduWiki UG, in alignment with Movement Strategy.. These goals include (1) attracting more diverse contributors to innovate in free knowledge, (2) identifying impactful topics, (3) filling content gaps, and (4) enhancing the onboarding process for new users to improve their experiences. Given that the current capacity of the EduWiki UG is limited in addressing all these goals, we have proposed a Theory of Change for its existing structure to steer the transformations we aim to achieve.
The development process of this Theory of Change extended over a period of 4 months, involving consultations with experienced leaders of Education programs and affiliate members within the Wikimedia and Education Community. Participants in this collective process have been involved in executing Education-related Wikimedia initiatives, programs, and activities across academic settings, GLAM institutions, and other organizations dedicated to free knowledge. This document, shaped through such a comprehensive process, is slated for approval following a community consultation at the EduWiki Knowledge Showcase by February 2024.
Our strategy is designed to align with the 2030 Wikimedia Movement Strategy, which foresees the active participation of affiliates in transforming Wikimedia into a pivotal infrastructure for the free knowledge ecosystem. This vision is grounded in the principles of knowledge equity and knowledge as a service. The Theory of Change will serve as a roadmap for the strategic transition of this affiliate, guiding its efforts to fulfill these overarching goals.
The Second Phase of the Research
[edit]The Phase 1 research, published in 2023, identified the specific needs of the Wikimedia and Education Movement in several key areas. These areas include (1) the need for a clearer definition of education within this context; (2) the necessity for enhanced coordination; (3) the significance of knowledge sharing and support; (4) the demand for more reliable technological maintenance and advocacy; and (5) the unique requirements stemming from varying program sizes and contexts, alongside emerging trends that suggest new paths for future organization and collaboration. In light of these findings and the pressing needs of the Wikimedia and Education Movement, it is imperative to develop a Theory of Change that outlines a set of principles and objectives aimed at introducing a new infrastructure model for the movement. This model is intended to guide the movement's strategy over both the medium and long term. Therefore, this research lays the groundwork for the Theory of Change’s creation, marking a significant step towards the establishment of an Education Hub.
The research was conducted by Rocio Aravena, who is serving as the researcher, and Bukola James, as the facilitator respectively. Their efforts are on behalf of the Wiki Education Foundation, Wikipedia + Education User Group, and the Wikimedia Foundation, with their work reflecting the collective input and insights from members of the Wikimedia and Education community.
In order to formulate a Theory of Change grounded in a collective process, informed by well-documented knowledge of the context and experiences within the Wikimedia and Education Community, we employed a mixed-methodology approach in this second phase of the research. This approach enabled us to identify the principles and objectives as articulated by community members and to analyze the main findings from contemporary research in the fields of Open Education Practices and Open Education Technologies.