USC's Helen Choi of the Viterbi School of Engineering discusses a group assignment strategy where students work in small groups to substantially improve Wikipedia articles in engineering or science and how this collaborative structure enhances the quality of the work added to Wikipedia and encourages good digital citizenship.
Sample Course: Western Colorado University Ichthyology Laboratory
Ichthyology Laboratory is a laboratory course focused on several aspects of the biology and diversity of fishes. Laboratory and field activities include a phylogenetic overview of fishes, as well as the unique morphological characteristics, ecological roles, evolutionary histories, physiological adaptations, and zoogeography of major taxonomic groups (e.g., jawless fishes, cartilaginous fishes, bony fishes). Laboratory and field exercises focus heavily on the local fauna, although marine and other freshwater are also included.
Sample Course: University of Washington Geographies of Energy and Sustainability
This 10-week course examines how, where, and why energy resources are made and used and with what political, economic, and ecological implications. Students investigate the role of fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) in neoliberal capitalism and geopolitics, address multiple meanings of sustainability, and explore conflicting visions of sustainability regarding low-carbon futures. Students will research and write content for Wikipedia articles relating to energy and sustainability related topics, such as (but not limited to) energy justice, low-carbon futures, energy and geopolitics, energy production/distribution/consumption, etc. Students will select a topic of interest relating to course themes that address content gaps within relevant Wikipedia articles, create a robust annotated bibliography of reputable sources, then draft their revisions/contributions to existing Wikipedia articles. Students will work in small teams of 5 to peer review one another's work.