Wikipedia talk:School and university projects/ITESM Campus Toluca/Mentors

message: Thelma,
Please put an edit summary on your messages.  It could be something as simple as "Response to Richard".  This may seem silly but when your edit shows up on my watchlist it just says "07:54 User talk:Thelmadatter . . Thelmadatter".  This tells me that you have made an edit to the User talk:Thelmadatter but it gives no indication of what the edit is about.  Now, I know that your edit has a good chance of being a message to me but, as you become more experienced, you will likely have conversations with other editors.  
I'm glad that you like my WikiProject suggestion.  Be aware that many WikiProjects are loosely organized and people respond to requests according to their inclination (i.e. whether they feel like responding or not).
Another idea for you to consider in addition to coordinating with the appropriate Wikiproject is whether you think it would be useful to have your students be mentored by an experience Wikipedia editor.  There are different programs in Wikipedia (all of them informal and unofficial) whereby experienced editors "adopt" or "mentor" new editors.  
In a way, I have adopted you although this happened via WP:WikiProject Mexico rather than through any of the more formalized "adoption" programs.  The plus is that your students will have someone they can ask for help.  This could be a great resource that would allow them to ask someone else rather than always coming to you for help.  The minus is that, being  volunteer programs, these programs do not guarantee a uniform quality of mentoring.  A student could get a great mentor, a poor mentor or one who fails to put in much effort.  And, the Internet being what it is, there are always weirdos out there.  Wikipedia is probably not one of the more popular "weirdo" hangouts but the possibility does have to be considered.  One way to improve the odds of getting a good member is to start by asking the members of the appropriate WikiProject if anybody would be willing to be a mentor.  Let me know what you think of this idea.
--Richard 17:09, 17 July 2007 (UTC)
replies: text: I would be willing to help out there. I can teach a few students some orientation. As for choosing topics which would be "good", any topic can be good so long as it complies with a few policies. I am also really good with policies. As I said, I can teach the basics to a few students, so if you have any questions, click on the floating grey "Talk" button. J-stan Talk 20:25, 26 July 2007 (UTC)
replies: text: Thelma, check out Wikipedia:Adopt-a-User.  While there are no "filters" to ensure that the volunteers are qualified to be "good" mentors, it is at least a source of people who are willing to mentor new users.  --Richard 18:36, 26 July 2007 (UTC)
replies: text: You might want to indicate that having some acquaintance with Spanish might be useful as well, as (I think?) you indicated that the articles will be written in Spanish. Many otherwise valuable editors would be completely useless in dealing with Spanish. John Carter 19:23, 26 July 2007 (UTC)
replies: text: If I can be of any use to your students, though, let me know. John Carter 21:26, 26 July 2007 (UTC)
thread_title: Suggestion that students get mentors

message: This is a first to me and I am absolutely willing to help! JONJONBT talk•homemade userboxes 20:44, 26 July 2007 (UTC)
replies: text: I can also be a mentor. I'm focused on article-writing and is currently a member of the WP:AAU. My pleasure to see that I can help. --Deryck C. 20:49, 26 July 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  Absolutely! 

message: Hello, Thelmadatter!
(Please note that your comment was moved from User_talk:Marbles333 to User_talk:Marbles, due to naming changes which occured earlier this year)
Indeed, your request is slightly different; seems quite interesting and original to include Wikipedia as part of an English course! I assume you had located me via the adopter's listing, though I would think this method of mentoring is generally unrelated to to formal adoption policy, and would therefore should be conducted as a favour. I would be happy to answer any questions you or your students may have of course, though this would not be considered a formal "adoption". You can talk to me via my talk page or E-mail (talk page preferred). 
I'm not sure entirely what you mean on the dates however, though I should mention I shall be away on holiday between 4 August and 11 August 2007. I realise that the main Wikipedia authoring will be undertaken in the Autumn, though I quite don't understand what you require beforehand (my apologies, I'm not entirely clear on the Mexican education system and its terms, so I would be grateful if you could clarify that for me).
I would be able to help on any of those aspects listed, but please also bear in mind the time zone delay; don't worry I'm not ignoring anybody! EDIT: Except the Spanish, of course!
Best wishes
/Marbles 20:51, 26 July 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  Re: Unusual Adoption Request 

message: Thank you for your interest!  ITESM's (or Tec for short) semester is based on the US system.- Aug 6 to beginning of Dec for the fall semester.  It is divided into 4 periods or partials.  In period 1, we will be doing general work on writing style and cultural adaptaions of communication... in preparation to working with Wikipedia.  That does not mean my students cannot begin talking to you all at that time but they will have their hands full just figuring out how to deal with the class!
In partial 2, they begin by making their group's user page and begin to communicate with you all to get oriented.
In partial 3, they will do the "small" contributions - 1) editing an existing article in English (adding a citation) 2) creating a stub (with citation) and 3) translating an English article for Spanish Wikipedia.
Period 4 will be dedicated exclusively to writing an article from scratch.  That article can be developed from the stub they created in Period 3 but it cannot be a translation of an article that exists in Spanish Wikipedia.  The topic must be new.
Hope this helps!
Thelmadatter 14:15, 27 July 2007 (UTC)
thread_title: Class Schedule

message: Regarding your message on my talk page, I do have a little bit of knowledge of the Spanish language, however I would in no way call myself an expert. I would be willing to help in anyway that you need me to, just contact me with what you would like me to help with and I'll try my best to help.  Orfen User Talk</small> | Contribs 20:52, 26 July 2007 (UTC)
thread_title: Re:Unusual Adoption Request

message: I would be more than happy to answer any questions your students throw my way. I've never seen such a project before, I hope it goes well. SGGH speak! 21:19, 26 July 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  Re:Unusual Adoption Request 

message: I wouldn't mind helping, but I am considering retirement. Sorry for the inconvenience. Feel free to ask me questions though, I will answer - although it might not be timely. If you email me (), I will get to you sooner. Thanks for contacting me and I hope to hear from you soon. Regards,  21:23, 26 July 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  Re:Message on my talk page 

message: Hello, I'm happy to help. I've added my name to the list and if you have any questions, don't hesitate to send me a message. Trusilver 21:42, 26 July 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  Re:Unusual Adoption Request 

message: Thelmadatter, I've added my name to your list, and I endorse your project's goal - it sounds like an interesting project for an English course. In terms of people helping out here, it would be useful if you were to require your students to give you their usernames to be posted in a list on your userpage, so that it's easy to keep track of their contributions, and for the mentors to watch for problems they may have. I suggest using the  template (use it as ) for the list, which produces something along the lines of "". Don't worry, those last two entries will probably not be needed. :) Hope this is a helpful idea, Nihiltres(t.l) 21:51, 26 July 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  Suggestion 

message: I will do just that as soon as I have students!  The semester begins next week and their first Wikipedia goal will be to create their userpages.  I will post them on this project page as soon as I have them. Thanks!
Thelmadatter 14:19, 27 July 2007 (UTC)
thread_title: Response to Nihiltres suggestion

message: Sure.
The first thing your students should do is familiarize themselves with the five pillars and if they're creating an article, the should ensure it meets WP:NOTABILITY otherwise it'll get deleted.  They may also want to look at articles that exist in Spanish wikipedia and not English - it'd be a good resource, but possibly cheating.  The nice thing would be that it would almost certainly meet the notability guidelines.  Wikipedia is far more than a linguistic practice exercise and in my mind an excellent learning opportunity.  WLU 22:27, 26 July 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  Adoption 

message: I too am concerned about "cheating". (see my response above about scheduling)  A major thing I need help with is making sure topic selected are notable and will not be deleted.  As I am, too, new to Wikipedia, I cannot help a lot with that issue -- I can only guess.
Thelmadatter 14:22, 27 July 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  Thanks

message: ¡Saludos! It's nice to see Mexican brothers contributing to this wonderful encyclopedia. My name is Eddie, I'm a teenager, and I live in Puerto Rico. I would love to help anyone willing to contribute to world knowledge. If you need your help, I'm your man. I have an adoption program that can be seen here. I am fluent in both Spanish and English, so I don't think communication will be a problem. Happy editing! Su hermano, Boricuaeddie 22:42, 26 July 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  RE:Unusual Adoption Request 

message: Thanks Eddie!  I really need help with the translation exercise as I am more familiar with English Wikipedia than Spanish.  Ive done poking around and it seems that the article translation policies are similar to both, but your help here would be invaluable.  Just be aware that my students must communicate in English in English Wikipedia.
Thelmadatter 14:24, 27 July 2007 (UTC)
thread_title: Thanks

message: I'll be away from Aug.11 to Aug.18, but after that I'd love to help out.  I've added myself to the list (if you don't mind).  Unfortunately, I don't speak Spanish, so I can't help with one of the tasks, but otherwise I'm more then happy too! Giggy UCP 22:57, 26 July 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  I'd love to help! 

message: This sounds like a wonderful concept, how are the articles for translation going to be selected? and what subject area are the students going to write articles in? Gnangarra 00:01, 27 July 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  Re: Adoption 

message: The translation issue is a very good question! and one I hope that people like you and Boricuaeddie (see above) can help me with.  As for the final project, as most of my students are from Mexico (but I may get a few from other Latin American countries) I will have them look at the WikiProject Mexico page for ideas (other WikiProject pages if they like, esp. those from South America) and of course you guys will be an invaluable resource here!
Thelmadatter 14:28, 27 July 2007 (UTC)
thread_title: article selection for translation

message: Sounds like a good idea, I'll be back in school by then and hopefully my personal issues will be over by then so I'll be more than glad to help.  Sign me up.  I speak a little basic Spanish and am an administrator on Wikipedia. Just direct to my userpage to see more about what I am like. DarthGriz98 00:13, 27 July 2007 (UTC)
thread_title: RE: Adoption

message: I would be glad to help out any way I can. I do not speak Spanish, but you can add my name to your list. ●DanMS • Talk 00:08, 27 July 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  Re: Unusual Adoption Request 

message: I wasn't on your invite list but I would be honored to help out.  I saw you invited Boricuaeddie.  It looks like you have plenty of mentors, but if you need more, let me know on my talk page.  I'll be busy until mid-August with the AFC backlog drive.  One note though, I do not speak Spanish well enough to help them with their translation efforts. davidwr/(talk)/(contribs)/(e-mail) 02:26, 27 July 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  Adoption 

message: It looks like youve got a large number of helpers, but I'll be glad to help you out! Your project sounds like a fun time. Evaunit666 03:33, 27 July 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  Re: Unusual Adoption Request 

message: Like many above, I'd be pleased to assist your students in any way I can, so feel free to add me to you list. I am an administrator and have a professional interest in biological sciences, though I edit in a wide range of subjects. I'm afraid my Spanish is extremely basic, though. Rockpocket 06:45, 27 July 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  Adoption redux 

message: Hello. I would be glad to help anyone out; unfortunately I speak very little to no Spanish. I can help with English spelling and grammar, though. If anyone has any questions, then feel free to ask them on my talk page. Abeg92contribs 07:25, 27 July 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  Unusual Adoption-- Abeg92 

message: Hi, glad to help out. My particular area of interest are articles on narrative prose stories (i.e. Novels, Novellas, Novelettes and Short Stories), that are the concern of WP:NOVELS. So ideally anyone who writes anything in that area I would be glad to help. I am likely to be on a wikibreak for a couple of weeks (hols), but will be available for September onwards. :: Kevinalewis : (Talk Page)/(Desk) 07:59, 27 July 2007 (UTC)
thread_title: Re: Unusual Adoption Request

message: Wow. You are undoubtedly brilliant. Most (if not all) of my teachers despise Wikipedia because they don't find it reliable. We aren't allowed to even use it as a source. I sure wish I had you for a teacher. Anyway, back to the question: I would be thrilled to help your students use Wikipedia. Right after I finish this I'm going to go add my name to your list of mentors. Thanks for asking! I hope I can help. 
--Theunicyclegirl talk 17:19, 27 July 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  Re: Unusual adoption request 

message: Well... I dont know about brilliant... masochistic, possibly! :D  But seriously, thanks for the compliment.  I just like trying new things and as long as my dept can put up with me, I will continue!
Thelmadatter 16:07, 28 July 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  Response to unicyclegirl 

message: Thelmadatter, it may a bit late ('cause I am taking a holiday in the past), but do you mean that you want your students to have a little tutorial on Wikipedia? I didn't quite understand what you are saying (my English is not that good :P). --JackLau 12:08, 29 July 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  Re:Unusual Adoption Request (from [[User:Jacklau96|'''<span style="color:darkOrange">Jack</span><span style="color:gray">Lau</span>''']]) 

message: I would love to  help ur students.... General Eisenhower (talk · contribs) 19:19, 27 July 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  sure 

message: Thank you for the invitation to help your students. The only thing that I want to ask... will they each have their own account? If not, then I would highly recommend getting them one, as it would be hard to track them while they are logged off. It would also be a wise idea to have their spanish Wikipedia and English Wikipedia accounts to have the same username. Anyway, from the sound of the actual page, it sounds like you already have everything well planned out. I wish you luck on your class project, and am happy to help. I can also be found under the Spanish Wikipedia under the same name (). --HAL2008talk 21:29, 27 July 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  I'd be happy to assist.  

message: Thelma,
I had previously assumed that we would try to match up students and mentors on a one-on-one basis.  Of course, when I proposed the idea, I had envisioned a smaller class and fewer mentors.
I envisioned that every student would have a single primary mentor and ask other mentors for help on an "as-needed" basis.  A mentor could take on more than one student if they wished.
Note that some prospective mentors have indicated their willingness to help in specific subject areas
The Wikipedia:Adopt-a-User operates on a very informal basis.  There is no formal "matching" procedure.  People volunteer to be adopters and people request adoption.  Adopters approach potential adoptees or vice versa.  If there is a connection, the adoption process is done.
This is a bit chaotic but it works because adopters and adoptees enter the process at different times so there is no "mad rush".  For better or worse, this course is more likely to have a bit of a "mad rush" at the beginning.
Have you given any thought to how this matching process should be organized?  Should mentors approach mentees or vice versa?  Or should it be laissez-faire with mentors and mentees free to approach each other?
Or do you envision something a bit more organized (e.g. you assign the mentors thus avoiding the chaos of a self-matching process)?
--Richard 19:11, 30 July 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  How will students and mentors be matched up? 

message: I, too, and a bit overwhelmed about the number of mentors...  and it will probably be a good idea to intervene a little. I was thinking about contacting all the mentors on the list just before the beginning of Sept to verify who is still interested and make sure the comments are filled out on the mentor table.  Then I have to get all the student user pages together.  My students are working in groups of 3 - 4.  Each group with have a user page, so when the mentor discuss with them, its like talking to one person... should have no more than 16 groups - probably more like 10.  It would be nice to match interests between the student groups and the mentors but Im not sure how to go about it.  I certainly dont want all my students contacting the first names on the list and ignore the rest, either.  Gotta give it some thought.
Thelmadatter 20:01, 30 July 2007 (UTC)
thread_title: Response to matching up mentors

message: so be careful and think about it seriously before you act on it, if at all. Maybe you could add a section of the table where the adopter could indicate their particular specialties or fields of greatest interest/awareness? Or alternately, when things get organized, maybe see if any particular group will be working on a specific general "field", so that editors experienced in that field will be able to maybe help out in a field where they might be most useful? I don't actually know what it is they'll be doing, so trying to come up with examples would almost certainly be pointless. John Carter 16:57, 31 July 2007 (UTC)
replies: text: Don't worry about not understanding me. It just proves you're normal. :) Right now, articles are broken up into ten main "categories" as per Wikipedia:Version 1.0: Arts, Language and literature, Philosophy and religion, Everyday life, Society and social sciences, Geography, History and war, Applied sciences and technology, Mathematics, and Natural sciences. Most of us will have some kind of "specialty" within those fields. Also, there are the staggering number of extant WikiProjects out there, as shown on the WikiProject Directory. Maybe if a section of the mentors table could be added where the individuals who volunteered could indicate their areas of interest or expertise, that might help the students out in finding someone who knows their specific "field". Or, alternately, the students could look at the userpages of the various individual volunteers to see if any of them do a lot of work in their general field. Just be warned that personally my own WikiProject memberships are misleading in a big way, as I am nowhere near competent in most of the fields where I've joined projects. My own specialty is the religion/philosophy area, and I'm fairly competent in the biography area. But giving us a place to indicate things like this might be useful to some of the students. John Carter 17:20, 31 July 2007 (UTC)
replies: text:  I understand now.  Good to know all this.  To get them started and not overwhelm them, I suggest that they start with the Wikiproject Mexico page as almost all of my students are Mexican nationals (tho I get a few from other Latin American countries).  As they should be "experts" on their own culture, they can use both their Spanish (for reading sources) and English (for writing) linguistic skills.  What subtopic they chose can be guided by the categories you mention.
Heck - Im getting overwhelmed with all there is to learn!
Thelmadatter 17:38, 31 July 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  Unsolicited advice... 

message: I dont quite understand what you are referring to John.  Act on what? To assign mentors?  I have to admit I am a little hesistant about doing just that.
Thelmadatter 17:04, 31 July 2007 (UTC)
replies: text: Don't worry about not understanding me. It just proves you're normal. :) Right now, articles are broken up into ten main "categories" as per Wikipedia:Version 1.0: Arts, Language and literature, Philosophy and religion, Everyday life, Society and social sciences, Geography, History and war, Applied sciences and technology, Mathematics, and Natural sciences. Most of us will have some kind of "specialty" within those fields. Also, there are the staggering number of extant WikiProjects out there, as shown on the WikiProject Directory. Maybe if a section of the mentors table could be added where the individuals who volunteered could indicate their areas of interest or expertise, that might help the students out in finding someone who knows their specific "field". Or, alternately, the students could look at the userpages of the various individual volunteers to see if any of them do a lot of work in their general field. Just be warned that personally my own WikiProject memberships are misleading in a big way, as I am nowhere near competent in most of the fields where I've joined projects. My own specialty is the religion/philosophy area, and I'm fairly competent in the biography area. But giving us a place to indicate things like this might be useful to some of the students. John Carter 17:20, 31 July 2007 (UTC)
replies: text:  I understand now.  Good to know all this.  To get them started and not overwhelm them, I suggest that they start with the Wikiproject Mexico page as almost all of my students are Mexican nationals (tho I get a few from other Latin American countries).  As they should be "experts" on their own culture, they can use both their Spanish (for reading sources) and English (for writing) linguistic skills.  What subtopic they chose can be guided by the categories you mention.
Heck - Im getting overwhelmed with all there is to learn!
Thelmadatter 17:38, 31 July 2007 (UTC)
thread_title: Response to Unsolicited Advice

message: I'll be happy to help. As WLU said, your students will need to know notability and some other policies before creating articles. I'll be happy to assisst them if they need help understanding anything about WP:N or any other policy if neccessary. Thanks. Bowsy  (review me!)  19:02, 1 August 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  I'll help 

message: I will gladly help in any way I can.  I have also suggested that students create accounts and log in every time they edit Wikipedia, as it will be easier for the mentors to interact with them.  When the students are ready to be assigned a mentor, could you either post a link of students account names on our talk pages, or just post it here; or should we expect students to approach us?  Thanks a ton!  Kntrabssi 16:18, 3 August 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  Mentoring 

message: Hi Thelma!  I would love to adopt some of your students for your class project.  I want to thank you for embracing Wikipedia as an educational tool rather than shun it.  I'm not sure when the project will be taking place, but if you leave the date on my talk page, I will gladly start checking regularly then.  I would also suggest that you have your students, or students groups, create a login name and login every time, as it will make things much easier for Adopters.  Thanks a ton, and I hope to hear from you soon!  Kntrabssi 16:14, 3 August 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  Adoption 

message: I would be glad to help out with your class in any way possible.  Please be warned, I am (sometimes) somewhat snarky, I have a (very dry, or so I am told) sense of humor, and I know enough Espanol to get me either to the water fountain, bathroom, or get slapped.  (I once told someone I play a miniature piano instead of play a little bit of piano - the joys of syntax and using the correct adjectives!).  In any case, if you want me, I'll be honored to help - just let me know how!  - NDCompuGeek 01:39, 11 August 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  Adoption Ad Infinitum 

message: Hello Thelmadatter.  I think that your idea of having students learn English through Wikipedia is a great idea.  I apologize for the long lag in my response.  I am currently away for the summer; however, I will be returning to my home on Sunday, and I would be more than happy to help mentor your students if you still need my assistance.  Please contact me on my talk page to tell me what you would like me to do.  Have a nice day.  --דניאל - Danielrocks123 contribs 04:33, 9 August 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  re: Unusual adoption request 

message: Although it is late, I would like to let you know that I would be glad to help out one of your students. I am an exsperianced editor, and I have a lot to share. So, count me in, I like teaching new editors! Karrmann 23:21, 13 August 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  Adoption Request 

message: Sorry about (very) the slow response but I will be happy to help. Bowsy  (review me!)  15:07, 26 August 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  Adoption Request 

message: Ae your students going to create their own accounts or will they be editing on this account...thanks! Jonathan (formerly Jonjonbt) 00:20, 30 August 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  Question... 

message: We believe that this project can be very useful for us because as you said the only way to learn to write and to learn how to interact in a "foreign" environment is to do it and we think that Wikipedia is a good option to do this.
We think that the support given by the mentors on this assignment is going to be very important and useful because as long as they help us answering our questions we will improve our writings and our ability to interact.
About your discussion page we believe that is a good relation the one you have with many mentors and we hope we have, in a future, relations as you have.  —Preceding unsigned comment added by Lirdoco (talk • contribs) 17:20, 7 September 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  lirdoco feedback