This session describes a pilot by the University of Wisconsin-Extension to crowdsource instructional content for its competency-based micro-credentialing program “The University Learning Store.” The purpose of the pilot was to discover if learners would voluntarily contribute instructional content, and what would be the quality of that content.
The University of Wisconsin-Extension CEOEL has followed up on the success of its competency-based “Flexible Option” program with the creation of a competency-based micro-credentialing platform called “The University Learning Store” (ULS). The ULS, which is a partnership of several major universities, aims to provide learners with an anywhere and anytime online store of competency-based learning, assessment, and credentialing opportunities.
The primary challenge of the ULS has been developing a sufficient amount of quality authentic CBE instructional content to “stock the shelves” of the University Learning Store.
In response to this challenge, UW-Extension CEOEL leadership suggested the exploration of crowdsourcing instructional content, which resulted in the development of two strategies. One of those strategies, the subject of this OLC Discovery session, was a pilot to test the feasibility of crowdsourcing instructional content from learners and wiki community members using the Wikimedia platform Wikiversity.
It was thought that, if the pilot could successfully generate crowdsourced content, it would have several benefits.
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It could reduce the number of hours that instructional designers and subject matter experts need in order to complete offerings. That, in turn, would enable UW-Extension CEOEL to create more competencies and “stock the ULS shelves” more efficiently.
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It was hoped that a University Learning Store presence in Wikiversity might funnel some wiki users to the ULS.
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It would enable easier validation of instructional content by industry experts.
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It could build new inroads between traditional higher ed institutions and “open” learning communities.
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Finally, it could empower learners by giving them a direct means by which to alter their instruction.
In this session, participants will engage with the topic in two ways. First, they will have the chance to interact with the University Learning Store content on Wikiversity as if they were a learner or wiki community member. Participants may even contribute to the instructional content. Second, participants will hear the results of the pilot, i.e., whether learners and wiki community members were able and willing to contribute quality instructional content.