Task 1
Purpose: Students will find an article similar to their own chosen topic.
Background information:
A key concept for this course is that students should use the resources that are available to them when learning how to communicate in English. One resource in this course is the model Wikipedia article. Students chose a topic in Week 2.
​
Before beginning writing, students need a model to use as a template. In this task students will find a suitable model based on their interest.
Activity stages:
Using the PowerPoint, show students the process of identifying a useful model. Tell the students that:
-
Your (imaginary) idea is to write a wiki page for a national park. Show them that on the national parks of Thailand page there are many possible topics: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_national_parks_of_Thailand
-
Of these, tell them you have explored the various pages, and the Kaeng Krachan page is a nice model – it isn’t too long, it isn’t a stub. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaeng_Krachan_National_Park
-
To show them the difference between a good and bad model, compare Kaeng Krachan with Khao Yai, which is far too long and very detailed: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khao_Yai_National_Park
Students can now explore the various wiki sites related to their topic to find a model. Allow students sufficient time to explore Wiki to find a model.
Resources/websites: Wikipedia
Handouts: None
Task 2
Purpose: Students will analyze the model article they have chosen in order to find ideas for how to improve their chosen stub article.
Background information:
Students analyze what they have in their model. The handout can guide students through this analysis, or let students complete pages 6/7/8 in their workbooks.
For the first stage of the article, let students skim the article and find the following:
-
The outline of the article
-
Photos or visuals that support the topic
-
Important links to other Wikipedia articles. Are the same links useful for their article, or can they get other ideas from these examples?
-
Important links to other non-Wikipedia web pages. Are the same links useful for their article, or can they get other ideas from these examples?
-
Kinds of sources that are cited, such as books, magazines, websites, etc. Are any of them useful for their own article?
The second stage, students now go back and look at their model in more detail:
-
What content is included in each section
-
The usefulness of these stages for their own topic
-
The gaps in the wiki page
This second part of the task may take longer because still will need to read and paraphrase each section of the page. Students may need help understanding what to include in each of the questions.
Once students have finished both tasks, they can complete the workbook activity on pages 6-8 of the workbook.
Activity stages: Students analyze the model article on their own using the worksheet as a guide.
Resources/websites: ​Model article on Wikipedia
Workbook pp 6-8
Handouts: