Wikiversity:Hierarchy

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The following text summarizes the overall structure of the schools, topics, and learning projects in the Wikiversity system. Below you will find a bullet-point list of all the Wikiversity categories and subcategories.

If you haven't already, read the Naming conventions regarding faculties, departments, and schools.

Things to consider when altering or adding to this list:

  • This is meant to be a comprehensive list of what subjects there are in education. Keep that in mind, our goal is to list subjects, not lessons or
  • When adding a category or subcategory, always check that you aren't making a duplicate. Overlap is fine, as long as it is within reason.
  • Remember that any subcategory can fit into multiple categories at any level of the hierarchy, for example, 'digital art' can be under both 'fine art' and 'computer science'
  • When you create a category that may have overlap with another, make sure to include all the existing overlapped material as subcategories.
  • Categories that could be merged should be ASAP. The sooner they are merged, the less redundant work will be done.
  • All categories need names that clearly differentiate them from others.
  • A category should only be divided on this list if there are multiple independent subjects to be studied within. Independent meaning that a student could study one without the other, and that one doesn't lead to the other. If a category is linier (a then b then c then d) it should not be divided.
  • When you create a category, please place it in all possible locations it might be relevant.
  • Someone should be able to study your subcategory without studying other subcategories (with the exception of introductions). If this is not the case, consider placing it as a subcategory of the categories they would have to study.
  • Please put all categories into the lowest possible level. That is to say, always try to see if it wouldn't fit into another category in the same level you were thinking of placing it. This is especially important when dealing with the top level.
  • Always try to keep as few subcategories inside a category as possible. If there are more then 20ish, see if further sub-categorization is possible.
  • Being higher level does not make the subject more important. Do not mess up the categorization for vanity.
  • The lowest level on this list should be what one might call the 'topic' and not the 'lesson' or 'group of lessons'. For example, 'Introductory Programming' should be here, but 'How to Start Making Games from Beginning to End' shouldn't be. 'Combinatory' should but 'Solving Permutation with Repetition' shouldn’t. 'Maya 3D' should be, but 'Painting Skin Deformations' shouldn’t be. 'C++' should be, but 'Polymorphism and Inheritance' should not. 'Photoshop' should be, but 'Blending Layers' should not. If you are still confused about whether or not your item should be included, consider the following points, your item must pass all of these requirements, not just most of them:
    • If a person were learning about the category you are about to place your subcategory in, would they have to learn the subcategory you are about to place? If so, you should probably not include it in this list. The exception is a 'Introductory' subcategory. This is only valid if there are other subcategories that do not necessarily have to be covered. For example 'Introductory Calculus' might be a subcategory of 'Calculus', or 'Introductory Programming' a subcategory of programming. Do not however simply split a category into 'Beginning', 'Intermediate' and 'Advanced' for no reason.
    • Would a layman be able to fully understand why the object you are about to place is a separate category? If not, you might want to reconsider placing it.
    • Does the item you are about to insert cover many topics and lessons? If the answer is no, you might not want to insert it.
    • If the item you are about to insert were covered as thoroughly as possible, would it make more sense for it to be a stand alone book, or a chapter in a book. If it makes more sense for it to be a chapter, you might not want to place it here.
    • Could the material that would be under your item be covered in a different way or by a different (more comprehensive) title? If so, you might not want to include it here. For example the topics that would be covered in 'How to Start Making Games from Beginning to End', could be presented in many different ways and called many different (more comprehensive) things.
    • Could someone study only your subcategory and none of the others (besides introductory subcategories)? If not, you should rethink the placement of your item.
    • If this were a school, could an entire class be made out of your item? If not, then it might be best not to include it.

Wikiversity Hierarchy[edit source]

This is a work in progress... Wikiversity is very unorganized at the moment, and I am trying to sort it out. All help would be appreciated. Currently I am just documenting what we have without making changes. I hope once we have a better idea of what Wikiversity looks like, we will be able to sort it in a more coherent fashion. Damien Black 22:25, 16 September 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Key:

SH -- Serious Help: This category needs serious organization help!
RD -- Redundant: Too much overlap, does it help navigation or should it be merged?
CM -- Course Material: Has course material in it that should be moved to lesson pages.
DN -- Distinct Name: Needs a distinct name, the current one is too similar to others
IS -- Inappropriate Subdivision: This may be too fragmented a subdivision (see rules above).
UI -- Unintuitive: This is an unintuitive category, what is it for?
NS -- Needs Subcategories: It would be nice if someone made the subcategories for this.
WM -- Wrong Material: The material inside is covering the wrong things.
NM -- Narrow Material: The material inside is covering too narrow an area.
HL -- High Level: This category may be in a higher level than is should.
LL -- Low Level: This category doesn't fit into its parent and should be bumped up.
WP -- Wrong Place: This category doesn't fit into its parent and should be moved.
WT -- What is This: and why is it in existence.
MC -- Miscategorized: This seems to be miscategorized.
AW -- Awkward Name: Good lord, say that three times fast.

See also[edit source]

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