Upload student CSV list
I very much dislike subscribing users to mailing lists, so I don't like the idea of uploading a CSV of mailing addresses. I believe it is far better to invite them to join the course (from mailings from the opt-in lists at the OERu web site for example). This puts the student in control... and hopefully will also make it obvious to them how to unsubscribe (remove themselves from a class).
I agree, subscribing users without their express permission would not be permissible in the WikiEducator / OERu environment. However, I can see a use case for a "pre-registration" process where interest in an OERu course is registered, for example signing for updates on the OERu website, or an OERu partner teaching a course in parallel mode where registered students are expected to participate in the open OERu version on WikiEducator.
A CSV file could "pre-populate" fields with information we have (eg Name, email address) when this category of "pre-registration" student comes to the WE site to complete their registration.
That sounds tricky... since the pre-registration would then also have to create a Mediawiki user and provide a way for the student to claim it with a password. If the user already had a WikiEducator account, he might now end up with a second.
It is tricky --
I wasn't thinking about a physical "pre-registration" in the wiki as such, but the email which is sent out from the CSV file to invite the registration could send a link to the registration form which has some intelligence to recognise confirmed WE email accounts - and provides a login links and then pre-populates the relevant form fields from information we know when the WE user is confirmed through password.
Not sure I'm making much sense -- but think of lowering the number of clicks / pages for registration of existing WE users.
