Extra credit project: Learning Wiki Editing Skills

 During my time at a South Korean university, I had the unique opportunity to take a course focused on learning how to use and create Wikipedia articles. This course was different from any traditional classroom experience I’ve had, as it involved a hands-on approach to learning and required us to engage in academic writing while working in English. The course started with an introduction to the rules and guidelines of Wikipedia, which are crucial to ensuring the quality and credibility of articles. We learned how to create a user account, understand Wikipedia’s editing interface, and use essential formatting tools. The best part of this part of the course was that it provided a very structured approach to learning, which helped me get over my initial hesitation. Knowing the rules and understanding the expectations gave me the confidence to start editing. One of the most challenging aspects of the course was learning how to retrieve and integrate data from reliable sources. Writing on Wikipedia requires a deep understanding of the topic, as well as the ability to express it concisely and clearly. This process taught me how to critically analyze sources and ensure the accuracy of the information I was presenting. As a non-native English speaker, it was also an excellent exercise in improving my language skills, as I needed to express complex ideas in a clear, neutral tone. While I had a solid grasp of English, academic writing in a second language posed its own challenges. Writing and editing Wikipedia articles in English forced me to improve my vocabulary, sentence structure, and grammar.
Additionally, I had to learn how to write in a way that was both accessible and precise. The professor and my classmates provided invaluable feedback, and over time, I became more confident in my ability to write and edit in English. I also learned how to deal with challenges like balancing conciseness with clarity, which is an essential skill in both academic and professional settings. The most rewarding part of the course was seeing my own Wikipedia article published. After weeks of editing, revising, and overcoming language barriers, I was proud to contribute to such a global platform. The process of creating a well-researched, adequately formatted article gave me a sense of accomplishment and highlighted the importance of precision in both academic and practical writing. It was a valuable experience that taught me not only how to create and edit Wikipedia content but also how to present my research clearly and effectively in English. Overall, the experience of learning Wikipedia editing has been enriching and empowering. It not only improved my academic writing and research skills but also made me more confident in my ability to use English in professional settings. This course was a reminder that learning is a continuous process, and there’s always room to improve, especially when it comes to expressing ideas clearly and accurately.