Tomorrow, I head to Sacramento to speak with instructors and counselors who support students in the Puente Program. The program aims to increase “the number of educationally disadvantaged students who enroll in four-year colleges” by preparing students to transfer schools. Co-sponsored by the University of California, Berkeley and the California Community College Chancellor’s Office, students involved in the program have access to mentorship, college counseling, and specialized English courses where they are asked to write for real world audiences.
I’m excited to speak with instructors in the Puente Program about the benefits a Wikipedia project could bring to these students. During the assignment, students naturally identify their target audience because of their familiarity with Wikipedia. They consciously write for the public rather than their instructor, which builds communication skills that are imperative for life in and after college.
If you or an instructor you know is interested in learning more about how Wikipedia assignments can enhance your student learning, please email us at contact@wikiedu.org. We’d love to set up a call, run a workshop, or schedule a webinar for interested faculty.
