Whenfirst conceived Wikiversitywas proposed to become theWikimediawiki project devoted to the collaborative creation oflearning resources. At that time,Wikipedia andWikibooks already existed and those projects have specific types of learning resources: encyclopedia articles and textbooks. Wikiversity is for all the many types of learning resources not found at other Wikimedia websites. See:the approved Wikiversity mission.
Wikiversity learning resources exist as Wikiversity website files. Some of the files exist as static learning materials in theFile namespace: images, sound files, etc. Other Wikiversity learning resources arewiki pages, like this page, where Wikiversity participants can collaboratively edit the content of the page.
Wiki pages can be staticlearning materials or provide a work space for collaborativelearn-by-doing projects. Examples of static learning materials might include a quiz or a lesson plan that can be downloaded from Wikiversity and used as a learning resource outside of Wikiversity, perhaps in a conventional classroom.
The Wikiversity terminology for describing different types of learning resources is given atHelp:resource types.
The Wikiversity model for online learning emphasizesactive collaborative learning. Wikiversity learning activities can be organized aslearning projects, collections of collaboratively edited wiki webpages where Wikiversity participants learn by engaging in activities.
The fundamental type of Wikiversity learning activity is collaborative webpage creation. At Wikiversity we learn by participating in the process of creating and editing wiki pages that help us explore our personal learning goals. Some Wikiversity learning projects areresearch projects where participants collaboratively explore a particular subject (example). Wikiversity learning projects can take many forms includinghelp forums, discussion forums,tutorials ordebate clubs.
Wikiversity welcomes scholarly learners who actively participate in collaborative learning projects hosted at Wikiversity. We are all learning how to use wiki technology to facilitate our learning. Click the "edit" button and share your ideas for how to create and develop Wikiversity learning projects.