Wikipedia:Education Program/Structure proposals/Zach McDowell Proposal
- Please list your name and/or Wikipedia username.
- What idea(s) do you have for what the new structure for the U.S. and Canada Wikipedia Education Programs could look like?
I propose that we form a charitable nonprofit organization. This organization should actively solicit membership from Universities at the administrative level, attempting to integrate WEP's goals with goals of Universities.
- How would you ensure this new structure involves all key stakeholders, including academics and the Wikipedia community?
This organization should be overseen by a Board of Trustees, consisting of elected members from the Universities that participate, as well as long-term Wikipedians, and the Wikimedia Foundation. Additionally, we should include at least one Instructional Designer, either elected or hired on by the organization, to actively help in guiding the pedagogy of the program.
The Wikipedians on the Board should be responsible for relaying the wants and needs of the general Wikipedia community, while the University membership would be responsible for relaying the wants and needs of the University community as we attempt to make the WEP integrated into as many Universities as possible.
- What are potential pitfalls of this approach?
Pitfalls in any of these types of situations are losing sight of either community. We are attempting to bring one community into another and not hush the voices of each. This will be a delicate balance and take quite a bit of work on building up the program to a place where both parties are adequately satisfied. Stepping on either's toes will ensure failure, but actively listening to all the sides could bring incredible synergy.
- Any other comments about your proposal?