Wiki Naija Names – Wikidata training session

The Wiki Naija Names Wikidata training session took place on the 19th of October 2024, with about 40 participants across Nigeria in attendance. Miracle James moderated the session, starting by introducing the agenda for the training, facilitators, and the trainer for the session Rhoda James. The moderator summarised the objective of the training and handed the mic over to the trainer who went on to lecture participants for an hour and some minutes. The training was focused on carrying out major and minor edits on Wikidata to improve wikidata content about indigenous Nigerian names after the training the reviewer, Blessing Linason, provided feedback to the participants, discussing key observations from the review conducted thus far highlighting areas requiring correction.

Session Overview 

After the introduction, the moderator provided a comprehensive summary of the project’s activities and progress so far, drawing attention to essential information that participants needed to familiarise themselves with. This set the stage for a brief run over of the agenda for the session then the moderator handed the virtual mic over to the trainer to begin the training. 

Training Session

Once the topic list and contribution process had been thoroughly explained, the session transitioned into the training phase. Participants were encouraged to ask questions, all of which were addressed in detail during the session.

Rhoda James led the training session, focusing on the technical aspects of contributing to Wikidata. The session covered a range of crucial topics, including:

• Introduction to Wikidata:
  The session began with an overview of Wikipedia and Wikidata, clarifying key differences and addressing common misconceptions. Participants were introduced to Wikipedia as a platform for collaboratively building an encyclopaedia and to Wikidata as a structured database of knowledge, supporting projects across Wikimedia and beyond.
• Understanding Wikidata Basics:
  The fundamentals of Wikidata were discussed, including its purpose, structure, and the principles guiding its open, editable data format. Participants learned about essential Wikidata elements, such as items, properties, and statements, which help structure information for reliable cross-referencing across Wikimedia projects.
• Principles and Misconceptions of Wikidata:
  Core principles of Wikidata were explained, emphasising the importance of data accuracy, neutrality, and verifiability. The session also dispelled common misconceptions, such as concerns about the complexity of editing and data sourcing, ensuring participants understood that Wikidata’s structure is accessible and user-friendly.
• Getting Started with Wikidata and Setting Up Editing Tools:
  Participants received guidance on how to join the Wikidata community, beginning with creating an account. The session included step-by-step instructions for setting up editing tools essential for a seamless editing experience, allowing users to contribute confidently.
• Hands-On Demo: Minor and Major Edits on Wikidata:
  A practical, hands-on demonstration enabled participants to practise editing on Wikidata, starting with minor adjustments and progressing to more substantial content contributions. This hands-on component was designed to build familiarity and confidence with the platform’s editing interface.

By the end of the training, participants were prepared to contribute effectively to Wikidata, equipped with the knowledge and skills to make impactful edits, including adding statements or the addition of new, well-sourced items specifically in adding indigenous Nigerian names, thereby advancing the goals of the Wiki Naija Names campaign.

Review Process and Conclusion

After the training session, Blessing Linason, the designated reviewer, provided observations and necessary corrections on the review process. She outlined the specific guidelines and criteria that will be used to evaluate participants’ contributions, and mistakes participants were making so far while documenting their contributions. Participants were once again given the opportunity to ask questions, which were addressed in a timely and comprehensive manner, further enhancing their understanding of the project guidelines and expectations.

With these final steps, the Wikidata training for the Wiki Naija Names project came to a successful close.

For those who would like to revisit the training session, you can access the training and schedule page on this Google Drive. Additionally, if you haven’t already, you can join the campaign by signing up on Meta-wiki. To ensure you stay updated with all campaign developments, we highly encourage you to join our WhatsApp group for real-time updates and community discussions.