Submissions/Wikiversity's Circuit Analysis course - Usage analysis

After careful consideration, the programme committee has decided not to accept the below submission at this time. Thank you to the author(s) for participating in the Wikimania 2013 programme submission, we hope to still see you at Wikimania this August.

Submission no.: 4008
Subject no.: S1

Title of the submission: Wikiversity's Circuit Analysis course - Usage analysis

Type of submission: presentation

Author of the submission: Dumisani Ndubane

Country of origin: South Africa

Affiliation: Wikimedia South Africa

E-mail address: dumisaniniburst.co.za

Username: Thuvack

Personal homepage or blog: My Wikiversity Blog

Abstract

Electric Circuits Analysis is a Wikiversity course that was started back in 2008. Five years have past and the course remains on the top 20 ranks of most accessed courses on Wikiversity. This presentation is a review on building the course pages; interactive tools used to give instant feedback to the user and an analysis of users who have emailed the course co-ordinator over. The insights can be used to streamline Wikiversity community efforts towards developing content based on demand.

Detailed proposal

Electric Circuits Analysis is a Wikiversity course that was started back in 2008. Five years have past and the course remains on the top 20 ranks of most accessed courses on Wikiversity. This presentation is a review on building the course pages; interactive tools used to give instant feedback to the user and an analysis of users who have emailed the course co-ordinator over. The insights can be used to streamline Wikiversity community efforts towards developing content based on demand.

Building Course Pages: Being Bold

Building the Course page required implementing Wikiversity's motto: "Be Bold". This included structuring the course work in order to control the length of material covered per lesson. A mainstream introductory course to circuit analiysis is usually very long and detailed. Wikiversity is probably not the place to put such in depth detail (Perhaps Wikibooks is). Course work need to be well structured and concise. Don't worry about templates, there are many well made templates that can be used.This is a distinguishing item for Circuit Analysis, It is well structured and concise which then means that even a hobbyist can use the course work to supplement their knowledge.

Interactive Tools: Quick Questionaires

The need to do quick excercises and versify one's understanding using Questionaires cannot be over emphasised. This comes back to the question of structure of your course. The main reason people use Wikipedia is to get quick reference on a subject matter. The reason why one would use Wikiversity is to get quick access to short courses on a technical subject. Questionaires offers a user affirmation on progress, this is another unique aspect that has retained a steady volume of course users over the past years.

Analysis of Users: A solution is required

Over the past years XXX users have emailed the Course Coordinator with questions and or comments and compliments with regards to the Course. Some have requested me to work on other projects. This haphazard and ad hoc interaction with Users has raised a question for course creators/contributors/coordinators... "What level of commitment to online availability can Wikiversity contributors give (or should be encouraged to give)"? "How does a co-ordinator hand over the button to the next generation of Content creators?". Should a course die when the contributor can no longer offer as much time?. the constant trail of emails for the past years have amplified these questions. An urgent solution for stream lining "on-demand" courses in Wikiversity is needed as the sustainability of the project depends on it.

Circuit Analysis Course is just one of the many courses offered by the Wikiversity Project. the successes and challenges learned during the past five years can benefit exit sting and new courses from extending its reach across the online learning market.

Track: Analysis and Public Engagement

Length of presentation/talk: 25 Minutes

Language of presentation/talk: English

Will you attend Wikimania if your submission is not accepted?: Yes

Slides or further information (optional)

Special requests

Interested attendees

If you are interested in attending this session, please sign with your username below. This will help reviewers to decide which sessions are of high interest. Sign with four tildes. (~~~~).