Wikiversity:Colloquium/archives/April 2007

March

Freemind in Wikiversity
What do you think about including the Mediawiki extension for Freemind in the Wikiversity? (Relevant links Freemind and ) --Javier Carro 08:00, 1 April 2007 (UTC)
 * Very cool. Go for it.  The Jade Knight 08:08, 2 April 2007 (UTC)

Licencing issue
I'm not sure if this is bad news or not, but apparently the Free Software Foundation (who hold the GFDL license) are being aquired by Time-Warner. The issue is being discussed on wikipedia if you want more details, but apparently one option being discussed is that anyone who wants to release anything under the GFDL will need to register themselves with the company (apparently there are liability concerns). --SB_Johnny | talk 16:59, 1 April 2007 (UTC)
 * Yeah, thats crazy. We should make our own free licence. Anyway I dont understand how someone can own the free licence. Thats kind of idiocy.--Juan 18:15, 2 April 2007 (UTC)
 * All very funny, boys. =þ  The Jade Knight 22:01, 2 April 2007 (UTC)

Key characters - dictionary language coordination
Whell, I would like to ask in here, if anyone of you is thinking about a project based on bilingual dictionary. If so the coordination page would be usefull. I think most of us will make English-something, so English is a key language. It would be usefull to paste all the databases in the future into the one. Maybe people from Sandbox Server can help. I meant if there is not a need to have in databases a speccial characters which will distinguish between languages. Dictionary projects:
 * Spanish/Bilingual Spanish-English Dictionary--Juan 20:10, 6 April 2007 (UTC)
 * If you are thinking about a huge bilingual dictionary which will contain words in different languages but have the definition in english, then that is what Wiktionary is all about. Omegawiki is another dictionary that looks promising, though it is in pre-alpha right now.-Balloonguy 21:22, 6 April 2007 (UTC)
 * Isn't this what "wikitionaryZ" is about? (Oh, it was renamed omegawiki)--Rayc 21:41, 6 April 2007 (UTC)
 * Yeah, Wiktionary is the place for this. You could try incorporating it into Wikiversity material, however.  The Jade Knight 05:05, 7 April 2007 (UTC)

Another VoIP session?
Yes, it's time for another conference call. Does anyone have any new topics, or should we stick to what we've already had proposed? When is a good time?

I'll tentatively say Sunday evening, but am flexible (it could be Saturday, Monday or Tuesday) EDT wise. Usually around 9pm EDT, so I'll throw that out as a proposed time. If you don't have a login, leave me a note and we'll get you hooked up.

And let me know if you'll be on the call, if you already have a login. Historybuff 23:37, 6 April 2007 (UTC)
 * I'm gonna be pretty busy this weekend. So no idea, here.  The Jade Knight 05:06, 7 April 2007 (UTC)
 * This weekend is easter for some of us, so many people will be busy.--Rayc 19:10, 7 April 2007 (UTC)

Where should this discussion go?
Hi everyone! I'm new here and I'm not a native speaker of English, so there may be English mistakes on the following.

I have created the page War and Iran to serve the purpose of studying about... well, War and Iran. A discussion had started on the Help Desk as the result of a question (here is the link to the question). So, I thought we might as well bring the discussion to this new page out of the Help Desk. But my friend suggested (as seen there on the second link) that it would be better for me to transfer the page that I had created to my userpage. I want to know what is the best place here on Wikiversity for us to continue the discussion. I would also like to know if you think the discussion should be somewhere here on Wikiversity at all or it just doesn't belong here? a.z. 04:48, 9 April 2007 (UTC)


 * Well i'm not really sure, but why don't you put it under history or politics? Shaheema 9 April 2007


 * I posted my thoughts over on the talk page. The Jade Knight 12:01, 9 April 2007 (UTC)

Airline Navigation
While going through the page on airline navigation,it stuck me that it is very useful for pilots and for members of the airline crew.However,is there a specialized section devoted to the specific functions of the airline crews,such as air-hostess' training,etc...Is there such a possiblity for such a course to be put up here?
 * Yes. Wikiversity is a collaboration, and learning resources are what we do. Since we're still quite young, you have to be patient, but we are looking to acquire both original research and practical education, and as much in the middle as we can. Historybuff 15:41, 9 April 2007 (UTC)

How has Wikimedia Changed your Life?
This message is being crossposted around village pumps and mailing lists - apologies if you receive it more than once! Have any of the Wikimedia projects had an effect on you in real life, or do you know of someone, or some group of people, who use our projects in real life? If so, we want to hear from you at Success Stories - How has Wikimedia Changed your Life?. The hope is that this page can become somewhere to which we can point members of the press so that they can immediately get an idea of the usefulness of our projects. Please, take a look, and add your stories! Martinp23 16:03, 10 April 2007 (UTC)

Sound box
Is there a special template for the souds, kinda box?--Juan 19:36, 6 April 2007 (UTC)
 * I'm not sure what you want to do, but you can use the "audio" template like this: . --JWSchmidt 19:52, 6 April 2007 (UTC)

No. I ment something like this: Autism --Juan 20:13, 6 April 2007 (UTC)
 * You meant the "listen to this article" template? The Jade Knight 05:04, 7 April 2007 (UTC)

Well, probablly. I will try to make an own template.--Juan 20:08, 11 April 2007 (UTC)

Where do I put my research/assignment papers? Can we even put them up?
I'm a grad English Literature student, and I've done quite a bit of research in the sphere of literature. (No applause please... :P) Well, my friends have said that my papers might inspire others, turn them into critics or at least help them. Would it be wise to put it up? And where do I put them?!?! Any ideas, suggestions or some good old advice? Shaheema 08:05, 9 April 2007


 * Just be aware that posting papers here is a form of publication, and you are granting others permission to recopy and post them, or use elements of them in certain licensed contexts, etc. If you're okay with this, I'd mosey on over to the department of Literature and ask them where your papers may be of most use.  The Jade Knight 12:00, 9 April 2007 (UTC)


 * And if you aren't happy with the licence here, we can point you to some place to upload your research to and would be very happy to host the discussions on your work here. Just leave a note here, or on my talk page if you need further help. Historybuff 15:41, 9 April 2007 (UTC)


 * Also, note that the material here has the potential to be replicated all over the internet. Choose wisely the material you wish to share with others. Other than that, another rule of thumb to follow is simply enjoy the process of sharing your work with others here. Porting material over to Wikiversity is generally non-trivial (and unfortunately can be boring at times), so make sure you are doing something that keeps you going. --HappyCamper 22:29, 9 April 2007 (UTC)


 * Hi Shaheema, and thanks for your kind offer. I'd say, just go ahead and upload your papers and anything else that you think may be of educational value to others. Don't worry about "where to put them" - giving a page a name for now is not set in stone - it can always be changed later. And pages can be categorised and listed from various places, so waiting for a response from literary participants is not strictly necessary (though it'll help). Licensing is slightly more complex, but remember that it will always be recognised as your (initial) work - by uploading work here, you are simply allowing others more flexibility in using your work than they would be entitled to do if it was under traditional copyright. I'd be very happy to help if you're still unsure of any of this. Cormaggio talk 09:45, 14 April 2007 (UTC)

Wikipedia:WikiProject Classroom coordination
Some may be interested in this WikiProject, I think it also should be linked from few places in this project.--Piotrus 03:35, 15 April 2007 (UTC)

Developing Wikiversity
I made a report on the mailing list about a great conference I attended recently on Open Educational Resources (OERs). I won't regurgitate it all here, but instead direct people to Topic:Developing Wikiversity, where I propose we organise all pages devoted to developing Wikiversity. (If you propose a name change, or another idea, please say so here or on its talk page.) I'd also encourage people to read the report that was presented to the conference, which you can find here. This partly explains my recent absence from Wikiversity - now trying to catch up on what's been happening in the meantime. :-) Cormaggio talk 09:19, 16 April 2007 (UTC)

Local Media/Images?
I was chatting with gmaxwell from the commons, and he suggested doing away with local WV file uploads. Comments? I don't understand the implications enough to really say anything much either way. Historybuff 19:43, 11 April 2007 (UTC)
 * We could start by encouraging Wikiversity participants to upload to Commons all images that might be useful to other projects. At one time, it was simple to deal with Commons uploads, but the upload link there now does not even take you to an upload page. I'm not sure I want to see new Wikiversity users have to go to another wiki and be subjected to that kind of system for image uploads. My largest problem with commons is that when I make use of their resources, they frequently delete images after I make use of them and then there is nothing but a dead image link remaining at Wikiversity and no easy way for Wikiversity participants to even figure out why there is a dead image link. Very user unfriendly. --JWSchmidt 20:19, 11 April 2007 (UTC)


 * I initially agree with that idea, but a few days ago I suggested adding the extension which enables the use of free mindmaps in Wikiversity. I think that interactive mind maps would be very helpful here. The problem if we stop uploading here is that so far the extension file .mm, which is used by Freemind, can not be uploaded in Commons. I would agree to stop uploading here if future Wikiversity media contents can also be uploaded there.--Javier Carro 20:05, 12 April 2007 (UTC)


 * I think it is a terrible idea and precedent to attempt to force local users to depend on other communities. If other communities provide useful services to Wikiversity users then the material will naturally drift in their direction when it is appropriate.  mirwin


 * There is definitely a benefit to having the option of deciding for ourselves what types of files we want to upload here on Wikiversity. However, uploading to Commons means that the files can be used from there on any other project - including the German, French etc Wikiversities (which would have to re-upload any material uploaded to just :en). I think that we should try to use Commons as much as possible (in order to maximize reuse) - but that it's probably overkill to force people to do so at this stage. In response to John's final point, there is a bot that flags changes made to any file that another project is using at m:User:Duesentrieb/CommonsTicker - does anyone have any feedback on how well it works? Cormaggio talk 09:30, 14 April 2007 (UTC)


 * [[Image:Wikiversity logo 01.png|thumb|right|[[commons:Category:Wikiversity|Category:Wikiversity]]]]The Wikimedia Commons is the glue for the Wikimedia metacommunity. The commons is a great idea in theory, but it is unwieldy, difficult to browse, and grasp without a lot of digging around. I think Wikiversity needs to take a BE BOLD stance and assume some responsibility for making the commons more useful. I think it's good to have our own local repository for things that are "not ready for primetime" (under development or that have only local relevance) but things that benefit other languages and projects definitely should go to the Commons. Our Wikimedia Commons page could become a learning activity for understanding the commons as it is and working out ways to improve it. I really wish to see all the Wikimedia projects and languages coming together as a true metacommunity. CQ 13:26, 14 April 2007 (UTC)
 * Where should we mention Commons, at Special:Upload? It is mentioned at Uploading files, but I doubt if many people see it there. --JWSchmidt 14:02, 14 April 2007 (UTC)


 * After reading the feedback, it sounds like there is compelling reasons to continue to have a local version of the upload function. While I do support the idea of having resources available for the community as a whole, it's also important that our contribs not "get lost" upstream or swept aside because we are small (compare Wikipedia with us, Wikiversity). Until these valid critisisms are addressed, we need to have our own bit of real estate, in my opinion.
 * Thanks to all who spoke up -- I appreciate the feedback. Historybuff 04:15, 17 April 2007 (UTC)

Flash tutorials
I have the strange feeling that this has been brought up before; however, I thought I'd bring it up again. What are our thoughts on using interactive Flash tutorials, games, etc., as part of learning projects? I just made my first flash tutorial today, Creating a HelloWorld Program in Java, and I have to say that I think these may well serve as a useful teaching/learning resource on the site. These kinds of tutorials are more tailored to visual, interactive learners rather than those who get more out of just reading a book (like myself...), and I think they would certainly help to make Wikiversity more accessible and useful to users. Would anyone perchance be interested in forming a WikiProject to help create Flash tutorials for learning projects? AmiDaniel (talk) 04:52, 17 April 2007 (UTC)
 * Topic:Internet Audio and Video is a central location for Wikiversity participants who are interested in developing such resources. The problem with flash is that it is not thought to be compatible with the GFDL so you cannot upload flash files to Wikimedia Foundation projects that use the GFDL. We can use Ogg video files (example: [[Media:Editing tutorial-large.ogg|editing tutorial]]). For file formats that cannot be uploaded to Wikiversity, you can upload the files to hosting sites such as Internet Archive and link to the media files (example: tutorial, QuickTime version, QuickTime info). --JWSchmidt 13:55, 17 April 2007 (UTC)

What have we learned and what problems have we encountered?
Hi all, I'm putting together a paper and a workshop for Wikimania this year and part of what I'm interested in exploring in is reflecting on our activity over the last eight months, and our feelings on this activity. With this in mind, I've set up the following pages: Hopefully, they can act as resources for our further learning about Wikiversity, and try to improve it based on this learning. I'd really appreciate any feedback you have. Thanks. Cormaggio talk 17:35, 17 April 2007 (UTC)
 * Problems I have encountered
 * What I have learned

Interesting study....
Digg had an interesting story about Wikipedia articles... (Digg http://digg.com/general_sciences/What_open_access_research_can_do_for_Wikipedia Digg)

Here is what the Digg summary was (Digg content is under a Creative Commons Public Domain License):
 * What open access research can do for Wikipedia


 * This study demonstrates among a sample of 100 Wikipedia entries, which included 168 sources or references, only two percent of the entries provided links to open access research and scholarship. However, it proved possible to locate, using Google Scholar and other search engines, relevant examples of open access work for 60 percent of the entries.

A direct link to the study:
 * http://www.firstmonday.org/issues/issue12_3/willinsky/index.html

Best. --Remi 05:35, 18 April 2007 (UTC)

duplicated reference
Hi, I cannot get rid of a duplicated reference in Topic:Learning Objects, even though there is a single &lt;ref&gt;. Could anyone take a look on it? (and please, then tell me how to correct this problem, so I'll be able to correct it by myself the next time). w:Rjgodoy 12:38, 18 April 2007 (UTC)
 * The references at Topic:Learning Objects look fine to me, but I have been seeing strange results with the reference list at Evidence-based medicine/Case studies. --JWSchmidt 20:58, 18 April 2007 (UTC)
 * It happened again on another page, somehow I managed to learn that it may be fixed by writting ?action=purge after the article name. w:Rjgodoy 11:25, 19 April 2007 (UTC)

Wikimania workshop
I'd like to use the upcoming Wikimania as a space to explore issues in Wikiversity, pool ideas, reach out to new people. I'm currently writing a paper, which I'll upload as soon as possible, but I'd also like to propose a workshop. Details at Wikiversity workshop at Wikimania 2007. I need people's feedback for this to really work - preferably before the 30th April (Monday week), which is the closing date for submissions. What would you like to work on/discuss - and how would you like to see such a session structured? How could such a session interface with projects, communities and/or materials here? All these ideas and more on that page please. :-) Thanks. Cormaggio talk 21:27, 19 April 2007 (UTC)

WikiProject, Taskforce ...
I want to try to improve the whole entry points to Wikiversity for the newcomer, from the Main page, to definitions of Wikiversity, to help pages - I think our whole presentation to the newcomer needs to be improved. Ideas have been mooted in various places, but I want to really get into these issues on a project page - create a project around it. I propose we have something like a Introduction Overhaul Taskforce - any better ideas for names? Ideas are most welcome. Thanks. Cormaggio talk 17:20, 18 April 2007 (UTC)


 * I agree the main page is in a dire state, and the introductions seem to be a mess. For example, in one place I read that the "course" concept was rejected by the board last year, but when I try to find information about how to structure connected pages, I get back to a page which tells me how to set up a "course" on Wikiversity. The project boilerplate is pedagogically inadequate - multiple examples, tailored to different purposes, are needed for newcomers. I assume there's been a lot of discussion of this, but it's not obvious to me where the discussion is centered. McCormack 17:40, 18 April 2007 (UTC)


 * On courses, the board's directive was never clear nor clarified, and I honestly think you'd be better off ignoring it - bearing in mind that we're experimenting with what kind of learning model fits best in this wiki format. As for pedagogical templates, I'm with you there - it'd be great to be able to "templatise" (or at least give examples of) how people could go about developing materials. Cormaggio talk 12:24, 19 April 2007 (UTC)


 * Wikipedia changed the way people think about encyclopedias. Wikiversity is dealing with the challenge of changing the way people think about courses. Conventional online courses often involve certified teachers who give grades to students who get credit towards completion of degrees in accredited degree programs. Wikiversity is free to experiment with online "wiki-courses" that do not involve teacher certification and conferral of degrees. We need to be careful NOT to use the term "course" in such a way that we make visitors think that Wikiversity has conventional courses (we do not have a way to certify teachers and we do not have accredited degree programs). One approach is to avoid using the term "course". "Courses" are just one type of "learning resource". I like to use the term "learning project" rather than "course". --JWSchmidt 13:57, 19 April 2007 (UTC)


 * Yes, but "course" does not necessary imply an accredited course, nor certified teachers. I think it's fine for people to think in terms of a course - it's what people are used to - and even if we are trying to rethink education in a sense, we need to give people the ability to build on their prior experiences. Otherwise, we will continue to leave the majority of people dangling in the dark. "Courses" and "projects" do represent different pedagogies/epistemologies, but we are trying to figure out what works here - asking: "what parts of traditional and what parts of novel education are most appropriate to this space?" Cormaggio talk 14:25, 19 April 2007 (UTC)


 * I like this discussion, but am slightly surprised that it hasn't occurred before - or has it? I agree the word "course" is not so good, as it suggests a rather established teacher-centered format. "Project" is perhaps a good overall word, as it is more open to experimentation. On the other hand, novices need very concerete direction and guidance. One needs to combine both a strong guiding hand for newcomers, and methodological openness for the experienced. Just thinking off the top of my head about possible different types of project (templates for newbies): (a) lesson plan, (b) reading list, (c) quiz or interactive learning journey, (d) moderated discussion, possibly tagged with a time limit for deletion, (e) collaborative student project (overall project consists of a number of these), possibly tagged with a time limit for deletion, (f) research paper tagged with a request for peer review, (g) hybrid types consisting of any combination of the previous. If one allows spaces for experimental student projects, such as learning to write wiki-markup, these are going to be very sandbox-like, so a template should perhaps come ready-made with a deletion tag that kicks in after a few months (or user-defined time period). I also think that if we prepare multiple templates for newcomers, it needs to stay away from turning Wikiversity into Just-Another-VLE - in other words, the templates need to be constructed to guide newcomers towards the uniqueness of Wikiversity, which is its integration into the resources of all the Wikimedia projects. McCormack 06:38, 20 April 2007 (UTC)


 * There was extensive discussion about the word "courses" after the board's cryptic directive of November 2005 - mostly on the revised proposal's talk page, which was reified to some extent in Online Course, and which has now become Courses. Looking at that chain, I don't think it's very clear what the overall flavour of discussion has really been. I personally think there is an unnecessary taboo around courses - the boards directive was unquestionably confusing and ultimately negative. However, I don't want to open a can of worms - I'd rather continue to experiment and invent, as we have been intending to do since we began our discussions. I very much welcome your ideas above - perhaps you could help develop further ideas on Templates? Cormaggio talk 12:52, 20 April 2007 (UTC)


 * I suggest Main page design changes as a central location for discussion of changes to the Main Page. Also, the guided tour could be made a better resource for new visitors and we could put some effort into a video presentation that would explain Wikiversity to new participants. --JWSchmidt 18:51, 18 April 2007 (UTC)


 * Just in case you hadn't noticed, that link is now blue! Introduction Overhaul Taskforce - please pitch in! Cormaggio talk 10:45, 19 April 2007 (UTC)

WikiProject Classroom coordination at Wikipedia.en
Hello, I'd like to inform the folks at Wikiversity about a new project to facilitate classroom assignments where students edit Wikipedia. The project is located here and has gained 21 volunteers since it launched April 12. We're already coordinating with an instructor from the University of Minnesota for a freshman composition course. I hope there's an appropriate place at Wikiversity where you can inform people about this service. Wikiversitians are welcome to join us! Cheers, Durova 04:30, 20 April 2007 (UTC)
 * That Wikipedia WikiProject is linked to from School and university projects. --JWSchmidt 04:47, 20 April 2007 (UTC)
 * Thank you very much. Durova 17:29, 20 April 2007 (UTC)
 * This is Good News! (s)Dionysios (talk), a Participant in the Wikiversity School of Advanced General Studies, Date: 2007-04-20 (April 20, 2007) Time: 175301 UTC

AfD on Wikipedia
See w:Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Wikiversity (3rd nomination).--Piotrus 05:02, 3 April 2007 (UTC)
 * Thank you for posting that. --Remi 05:32, 3 April 2007 (UTC)
 * Just for that I think I'll delete our page on Wikipedia--Rayc 19:50, 3 April 2007 (UTC)

Here we go again - w:Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Wikiquote. This time someone is trying to delete the articles on Wikiversity, Wikiquute, Wikinews and others...--mikeu 10:53, 21 April 2007 (UTC)


 * Thanks for the heads up. Actually, sometimes these minor annoyances can bring interesting results - I just found these references to Wikiversity through Google scholar (I knew about the first one but not the rest):, , , Cormaggio talk 12:01, 21 April 2007 (UTC)
 * Wikiversity is also briefly discussed in some educational publications of the OECD and UNESCO. McCormack 14:51, 21 April 2007 (UTC)

Implementation of quiz extension
A couple of questions: (1) How do I find out which version of a MediaWiki extension is actually live on this site? (2) When a new version appears on SVN, what is the procedure/timescale for implementing it on this site? Background: version 0.8x of the quiz extension has a lot of new features (e.g. typed responses, gapfill exercises, numerical responses) and bugfixes (e.g. the points system apparently works now) and I'd like to continue writing my documentation and examples at Help:Quiz. But I need 0.8x installed to continue. McCormack 04:50, 19 April 2007 (UTC) (PS: I'm aware of Special:Version but this doesn't seem to be definitive or informative as regards versions and procedures.)
 * So far as I know, the only way to find out what version of an extension is installed is to contact a dev (they can often be found in #mediawiki-tech on irc.freenode.net). Again, replication time from SVN to the live wikis is quite variable. Some times it takes weeks, some times minutes. Nagging the devs often tends to get that process speeded up a bit :). AmiDaniel (talk) 23:00, 19 April 2007 (UTC)
 * Thanks! In this case, it actually went very fast - like remarkably quickly after I left this post here ;) So thanks to whoever saw this and took action :) McCormack 06:28, 20 April 2007 (UTC)

Version 0.91 is now on SVN. Can we have it implemented, please? McCormack 04:24, 22 April 2007 (UTC)
 * Patience, my dear sir, patience! :D AmiDaniel (talk) 07:33, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

Time for checkuser?
We're getting a lot of serial vandal accounts lately, and without checkuser we're badly vulnerable to sockpuppets (two might have been created today, we'll see). We've been very successful at dampening this sort of thing down using CU on wikibooks, and I think it's time to get it here. --SB_Johnny | talk 11:49, 22 April 2007 (UTC)


 * There is now a first draft of a CheckUser policy. --JWSchmidt 15:36, 22 April 2007 (UTC)

User:Bill Dorku
Is there somebody who can stop this user? 85.0.105.178 07:49, 25 April 2007 (UTC)


 * have you access to IRC?Hillgentleman|Talk 07:54, 25 April 2007 (UTC)
 * I do and was on there...But I am not an administrator on here. DragonFire1024 08:02, 25 April 2007 (UTC)
 * We're getting quite a bit of vandalism recently - perhaps we need more custodians? Perhaps covering a wider diversity of time zones? Cormaggio talk 14:31, 25 April 2007 (UTC)
 * I was around at the time, but dreaming. Historybuff got him. A vandal alert system with a ringing bell might make better use of existing resources. Is there such a thing? I'm not sure IRC counts, unless ordinary users who spot this kind of thing have easy access to it. McCormack 16:17, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

Chinese wikiversity
Just slightly curious as to why there is a link on the main page to the non-existent Chinese Wikiversity. McCormack 17:30, 25 April 2007 (UTC)
 * Apparently it was a good faith effort (see). It might make us think about ways to promote the creation of more language-specific Wikiversity websites. --JWSchmidt 17:47, 25 April 2007 (UTC)

Possible move...
Would I be wrong to move this page - Ec_1101_Building_the_Demand_Curve to just Building_the_Demand_Curve? --Remi 01:55, 6 April 2007 (UTC)
 * Page moved to Building_the_Demand_Curve and old page deleted... fyi. --Remi 04:37, 26 April 2007 (UTC)


 * Not according to some previous thoughts I have seen written here. Might want to drop a note to the  authors on the history page in case it is under active development.  70.110.61.26 04:16, 6 April 2007 (UTC)


 * I say: move it. Page names are supposed to be descriptive.  The Jade Knight 05:03, 7 April 2007 (UTC)

Flashcards
Did you ever use flash card s when you went to university? I did. I had a big stack of Biology cards and soon divided them into ones I knew, and ones I didn't. Because they were hard copies the stacks stayed put until the next day when I went through my ever dwindling "don't know" pile. That way I could focus on the ones I don't know. It sounds trivial but all the virtual flash card applications don't do this. They may have a temporary hide, but if you ever leave the webpage or logout, it's all back to one pile.

Well I think it would be SWELL if we could do the same thing virtually here in the Merry Ole Wikivesity. Except it would have to be tied to a login somehow so that that person's cards would stay in the piles they set.

Do you think it's a good idea? If so, do you know someone with the technical expertise to make it? Andrew 22:32, 19 April 2007 (UTC)


 * I like the idea very much. Maybe those at Help:Quiz would have ideas on how to do this? I'm certain I've come across flashcards somewhere here, but I just can't recall where at the moment. *moments later...* Ah, check this out: Test and Quiz. --HappyCamper 03:30, 25 April 2007 (UTC)


 * The quiz project has a very useful reference at the bottom. I think the problem is that the extension developer has disappeared from MediaWiki. McCormack 16:10, 25 April 2007 (UTC)


 * I posted the question and some elements of this discussion at the Help:Quiz site.Andrew 19:01, 2 May 2007 (UTC)


 * Can you use the watchlist for that purpose?Hillgentleman|Talk 02:53, 27 April 2007 (UTC)


 * For what purpose? I don't follow... McCormack 03:05, 27 April 2007 (UTC)


 * The flashcard ("memorize") extension which Ryan Lane started to develop doesn't store any cross-session data. It's just a single session flashcard system. McCormack 03:08, 27 April 2007 (UTC)
 * Yes, yes, we NEED a memorize extension, or some way to keep "know" and "don't know" categories for one person even after they log out. Andrew 19:01, 2 May 2007 (UTC)
 * I *had* flashcards working, yet for some reason they all seem to be broken now... would broke the code?--Rayc 05:05, 1 May 2007 (UTC)
 * I think your experience suggests that we need to do more to pull together the various interactive projects going on around the place. Although these projects tend to have similar names, they actually have quite different (and complementary) functionality. If we start pulling them together, it will give more people a wider stake in preserving and using all of them. McCormack 05:38, 1 May 2007 (UTC)

Latest on the memorize extension
Ryan Lane's memorize extension is really just a very short implementation of Craig D. Muth's memorize javascript. The latter is released under an "X11 open source licence" and needs some small changes (in my opinion) before it can be used on Wikiversity. After reading the licence header for the javascript, it requires a backlink to Craig Muth's website to be included in the interface. On the other hand, it's possible that he didn't envisage it being used by Wikiversity and might be flexible on this point. The biggest question at the moment is licencing. Does anyone know about "X11 open source licence" and WikiMedia compatibility? Can someone say more about the licencing required for a WikiMedia project? Is it GPL only, or are there other things which are compatible? McCormack 05:10, 3 May 2007 (UTC)

Another success for VoIP/ Wiki Campus Radio
User:Chrismo hosted a discussion with Leigh Blackall, after our scheduled interview was postponed. (The wonders of live radio!)

I'd like to thank all of those that participated, and ask for comments on what worked well, and what you'd like to see improved. (One thing I'm hoping to work on is allowing the moderator to have finer control over the conference).

If anyone would like to participate, we have a few upcoming inteviews, as well as other shows. Come chat with us! Historybuff 19:16, 28 April 2007 (UTC)


 * No links, no context - c'mon Historybuff! I just happen to know that this is going on at Wiki Campus Radio and Topic:VoIP (and their talk pages) - but I think it still could be better explained for people who don't frequent IRC... Cormaggio talk 20:00, 28 April 2007 (UTC)

Sorry Cormaggio, you are correct, and thanks for adding the links. We'll have an OGG up fairly soon, and following that we'll have some OGGs of other shows. Links to come soon. Historybuff 01:48, 29 April 2007 (UTC)


 * An Edited version of the Leigh Blackall interview is now available. --JWSchmidt 13:55, 1 May 2007 (UTC)

LiteratePrograms
Hi all - there's currently a proposal to incorporate this project, LiteratePrograms into the Wikimedia family. It's a site which compiles information about source code, as well as the code itself - it could be useful for the programming section on Wikiversity. What does anyone think? Cormaggio talk 11:12, 29 April 2007 (UTC)
 * When I saw that proposal I thought, "What is special about that wiki?" Wikia has been incorporating other wikis for quite a while, and maybe it is time for the Wikimedia Foundation to start assimilating small wikis. Maybe Wikiversity could have a similar agenda. There are many small but interesting education-oriented wikis out there now. When I go and visit them and it is sad to see them limping along in isolation with a small number of contributors. Some of these small wikis might gladly join with Wikiversity if we asked them. --JWSchmidt 13:27, 29 April 2007 (UTC)

The teacher's burden (validating user names)

 * How about a template: User:, User talk:, Special:contributions/, Special:Log/ ? Hillgentleman|Talk22:02, 30 April 2007 (UTC)

GarageBand Project Files (homework)
I now have students submitting homework in the GarageBand project file format.

Is their any way to store these files on Wikiversity or must I purchase a website and put the student files on my website? Robert Elliott 23:30, 29 April 2007 (UTC)
 * I think the Wikimedia Foundation takes the general position that only file formats for Open-source software can be used in uploads to Wikimedia Foundation servers. It looks like Internet Archive allows uploads of zipped GarageBand project files. --JWSchmidt 00:08, 30 April 2007 (UTC)
 * You don't necessarily need to spend money on a website; There are a slew of free services on the worldwide web which will offer you free hosting of your files. Streamload's MediaMax service comes to mind, as it will let your students upload their files to your account without having to know your password. Search around. Taeke 07:36, 30 April 2007 (UTC)

Wikiversity:Bureaucratship
I've made a (belated) first draft at Bureaucratship - please discuss, refine, ... Cormaggio talk 12:26, 20 April 2007 (UTC)
 * Bureaucrat is a pejorative and semi-humorous term and not positive enough to be part of a serious project such as this. Bureaucratship is not a word in wide use, if in use at all beyond this article.
 * If we could think of another name that is equally demeaning and polite we would gladly switch. As it is, we love our bureaucrats. They do what we ask them to do and it only costs us a few electrons. --JWSchmidt 00:29, 11 May 2007 (UTC)

Courses
Hi! I've noticed in some of the schools that there are names corresponding to the education system in specific country, eg NSW HSC etc. but this can be confusing for someone who doesn't know or work from that system. I was wondering if a sort of "wikiversity" classification system could be used that could be explained on a special page or something, and then applied to the whole project, just for clarity's sake. What are people's ideas on this? Storeye 05:53, 21 April 2007 (UTC)
 * Page names should be descriptive, not codes. If code designations are used, they should be explained on the pages where they are used. If specialized jargon and name conventions are used, in addition to explaining them where they are used, please make use of Glossary and Naming conventions. --JWSchmidt 06:33, 21 April 2007 (UTC)

Thanks! Storeye 10:53, 21 April 2007 (UTC)

At least some pages read like encyclopedia-entries. I can see little point in such material's being published on this site. Should not each entry be part of a course which, ideally, should not just involve the student's reading material but also his or her doing something with that material and receiving feedback on their work from tutors? One could carry on typing text, but that wouldn't make this a university. There could well be parts of the site where actual study and teaching are happening and I should be most interested to see them. Courses could involve reading material, but that is surely better stored on Wikipedia. Is there a research-area where that other vital function of a university is taking place?


 * Thanks. I agree with giving feedback to individual contributions to an article-type resource - feedback and interaction are vital to learning. As for research, perhaps start with Portal:Research, and for courses, see Portal:Learning Projects, or Filmmaking for a particularly well-developed example of one pedagogical style. However, please bear in mind that much of the work you see here is very young and unformed - there remains plenty of work just to make Wikiversity understandable to the newcomer. Cormaggio talk 23:58, 10 May 2007 (UTC)
 * And my thanks to Cormaggio for his/her kind response. I do appreciate that these are early days and think this a great project. Filmmaking is super, isn't it? It has very nicely-presented material and projects for students.
 * I'm a "he", by the way. :-) Cormaggio talk 20:11, 11 May 2007 (UTC)

Wikiversity promotional cards
I've recently had a lot of success with a few promotional business cards at the local brick-and-mortar university and library. I thought others might like to try something similar, so I thought I'd post here with the design I used...



... and the Photoshop file (.psd).

For anyone who is interested, I used Vista Print [I'm sure there are plenty of others], who send you the cards very cheaply indeed.

Feel free to use/edit the designs, zey are in ze public domain. Aidan 22:38, 29 April 2007 (UTC)


 * Nice work - thanks! I desperately need a bunch of cards, so I'll see what I can do myself based on this design. I'm also curious: what exactly have you "had success" with? Promoting Wikiversity? What kind of success have you had - and how do you know? :-) Cormaggio talk 17:35, 30 April 2007 (UTC)
 * Thanks! By success, I meant people showing an interest and asking for more info. I was suprised, actually. Clearly this sort of service [wikiversity] is in demand! Aidan 11:07, 2 May 2007 (UTC)

Wikiversity should be promoted and this looks nice. If any work of similar proportion is needed I am becoming quite skilled with multiple programs to create promotional material. --Topcount345 03:09, 22 May 2007 (UTC)