Developing a teaching resource

Preknowledge

Before working through this tutorial, WE recommend that you: Have acquired the wiki skills corresponding up to the level of Wikibuddy that is: Basic formatting of text (i.e Tutorials 1 to 4); The ability to create new pages, link to external websites and internal pages in the wiki, and to insert images. (i.e Tutorials 5 & 6); Knowledge of inserting pedagogical wiki templates into wiki pages and working collaboratively in the wiki (i.e Tutorials 7 to 9) ; Knowledge on how to structure your content by creating sub-pages in the wiki (i.e. Tutorial 10). Feedback: If you feel that you have not mastered these skills yet, not to worry. Our tutorials are designed for self-study or you can register for one of our Learning4Content workshops. Pretty soon you will have the basic wiki skills you need to develop your first teaching resource.

Getting started on content development

"An essential aspect of creativity is not being afraid to fail." Edwin Land.

Image courtesy of scui3asteveo

The best way to practice and discover new wiki skills is to DO IT - go ahead, and develop content in WikiEducator! By adopting this learn-by-doing approach you will quickly be able to experience the benefits of developing resources in WikiEducator. On completion of your first content project, you will also be able to apply for certification as a WikiBuddy --- this builds your kudos and experience in our community.

In this tutorial we will guide you through the process of designing and developing your first content resource in WikiEdcuator. We will also introduce you to a few practical tips and technical features of our wiki so that you can impress your peers with the layout and design of your teaching materials.

The art of learning design is to creatively exploit the constraints of the medium and your wiki experience. Don't be afraid to try an initial design, then make the changes you need. This process of trial and review is typical. Experiment with different image placements and sizes, presenting information in different sequences or adding new features. Browse through the wiki for ideas. Be bold -- if you make a mistake you can always revert to your previous version!

The development of a content resource can be divided into two distinct phases: design and implementation.

Design

The design phase refers to the conceptual planing of your content resource -- this is the difficult part. Design is the secret to developing quality learning materials and encouraging active participation from the community. In the wiki world we typically post our first drafts and concepts on the wiki -- you never know, there may be someone in the community with similar interests who will collaborate with you in developing the resource. Be sure to tell your friends and colleagues at other institutions about your project inviting them to contribute or provide feedback on the corresponding talk page.

In the design phase it is important to consider:

• The type of content resource required
  
• Key planning questions
  
• The best structure for a resource
  

Implementation

The implementation phase is where we actually develop the content according to our initial design plan. A draft content page with clearly articulated learning objectives and a logical content structure makes it easier for other WikiEducators to participate and assist you in your content project.

The implementation phase will involve:

• Creating and linking your page in WE
• Getting started - planning and coordination
• Navigation templates
• Inserting an Infobox