Talk:Fringe/Future of Education Workshop

Removal of content without discussion

I feel we could all work together better if people did not remove content without discussion.Leutha (talk) 15:54, 23 January 2014 (UTC)

Great start

Hey, this is a good start, I like the way you've programmed the two days; I think I'll copy this for the other events.

I called these "hackathons" because I wanted to present them as events where you're expected to spend most of your time behind a laptop. You're correct that they're not about coding, necessarily; though I've been surprised to hear that many people consider editing as a type of "coding". Just something about monospace fonts, perhaps... EdSaperia (talk) 13:44, 24 January 2014 (UTC)

Hack dates

I was under the impression that we were going with June 14-15 for this event. Given exam boards at UK universities around that time, I believe that this weekend would be better than a later or earlier date during that month. --Toni Sant (WMUK) (talk) 14:24, 13 February 2014 (UTC)

Sorry, Toni! Following up on the dates is still on my to-do list (very busy week, as you might've guessed from yesterday's news). Ed said they've already booked and paid for the space, so we have to stick with the dates that are available, and June 14-15 isn't one. I switched with the Free Culture one (as we'd discussed was our second choice if June 14-15 didn't work), which was okay with everyone on our last call. Ldavis (WMF) (talk) 15:33, 13 February 2014 (UTC)

Not sure about top photo

I am not sure about the top photo, which seems to be of a much more traditional coding Hackathon. It kind of gives off the "You don't have to be a man to work here, but it helps", and all the young men appear to be somewhat unsocial in that they are peering at things rather than each other. I am afraid I do not find that an attractive image, and if that gives an acurate impression of what the event will be like, then I would give the whole thing a wide bearth. My feeling is that we should concentrate on providing a social arena where people from a variety of backgrounds, perhaps a bit nervuous at meeting people from different backgrounds, not wanting to appear stupid because they don't understand what another person is saying, at the same time wondering how to explain their insights to people who will not grasp the jargonised short-hand of their particular speciality. I think we need to create a much more sensitive environment where people will become sufficiently relaxed to enjoy the interaction while at the same time developing some new partnerships leading to practical work and outcomes. I was wondering whether there might be a more suitable image.Leutha (talk) 23:18, 12 March 2014 (UTC)

What about this or this? The first doesn't show people actually hacking (is that the right verb?) but shows people having fun. The second picture doesn't may be similar to the current top photo, but at least has people doing something a bit more varied. Richard Nevell (WMUK) (talk) 14:05, 25 March 2014 (UTC)

I support the "spend most of your time behind a laptop" element being de-emphasised: I don't think that's necessary for people to get a benefit from this event, and I hope we make non-coding educators feel very welcome. I also support Leutha's idea of changing the image to be less stereotypically nerdy. MartinPoulter Jisc (talk) 14:06, 25 March 2014 (UTC)

Agree, also with the point re: (mostly white) men. Just gone through commons 'hackathon' (2000ish photos) looking for: Groups, ideally not all men, with laptops but ideally sat such that they can (and are) talking, and the photos are good quality, possibilities: [here], [here], [here], [here], [here], [here] (mostly from Israel it seems), [here]. I like [this for the postits]. Sorry I'm just dumping them, but they're a starting point at least Sjgknight (talk) 14:24, 25 March 2014 (UTC)

Just ignore all those extra square brackets...wiki markup eh? Sjgknight (talk) 14:24, 25 March 2014 (UTC)

Somehow I just realized I never replied here, but I totally agree and changed the photo a few weeks ago! --LiAnna (Wiki Ed) (talk) 19:28, 3 May 2014 (UTC)

Possible topics

This looks like it'll be a good event, sorry I won't be able to attend. I'm just thinking about possible topics which might be worth covering, and have some suggestions (if there were uptake/interest from those who'll be there):

• Badges - using some of the template tools to think about what we'd want to badge and how
• Copyright, OER and digital literacy - thinking about developing resources around copyright, for use by educators and the cultural sector
• Evaluating credibility and digital literacy - thinking about developing resources around digital literacy, use of 'citation', NPOV, etc. as core literacy skills
• Onboarding educators - how do we develop resources (and websites/Wikis) to quickly get educators engaged in what we do, so they "get the point", gain the basic skills, and understand how to get involved (even if just contacts or joining a community)

Sjgknight (talk) 17:32, 1 May 2014 (UTC)

Thanks, Simon! Great suggestions. I put them into the agenda. :) --LiAnna (Wiki Ed) (talk) 19:27, 3 May 2014 (UTC)

Simplified content

I just simplified content and replaced on-wiki registration with an off-wiki process, per consensus of the planning team. If you're interested in helping plan, get involved here: Fringe/Future of Education Workshop/Planning. --LiAnna (Wiki Ed) (talk) 19:19, 3 May 2014 (UTC)

Virtual participation

Is virtual participation possible? Asking on behalf of someone who would like to join the conversation but cannot travel to London. Thanks! :) AKoval (WMF) (talk) 19:20, 6 June 2014 (UTC)