Wikipedia:Discussion Camp

This is an "exercise space where the focus is on the skills of discussion and debate, not the subject. Where two or more persons would get together; a subject would be chosen at random, and sides taken. Then, at some point, the sides would be switched. Observing would be persons not involved in the subject of the discussion, but there to offer input to the participants about their individual techniques. Call it "Debate Camp".[1] "I've gotten some input [- see talk page.] I'd like to change it to 'Discussion Camp'."[2]

We as a community are "not learning much at the meta / process level on what we're doing wrong from being in the middle of contentious debates. It is extremely hard as an individual to take the step back and see what we're doing wrong in personal arguments or interactions. Communities are no easier, perhaps harder. Somewhere that we could do those learning exercises and try to find community coping mechanisms for the real-life flame wars might be useful."[3]

"We accepted that a committee of strangers could write an encyclopedia in cyberspace, is it really so much to imagine we could be civil to each other to while doing so?"[4]

Strategic objectives

1. Improve civility of discussion at Wikipedia
2. Improve effectiveness of discussion at Wikipedia

Tactical objectives

1. Learn new discussion techniques
2. Practice discussion techniques
3. Learn to recognize techniques in self and others
4. Teach others better discussion techniques

Collateral gains

1. Fun
2. Participants learn to interact in real life more effectively

The sandboxes with discussions and comments in successive sections

• Wikipedia:Discussion Camp/1

The Coaches

At present we are recruiting Coaches for the Project. These would be the persons who would monitor a discussion and offer the participants feedback and guidance as to their techniques. This person would not involve themself in the subject of the discussion; instead they would offer advice as to how better to go about discussing it. If you feel you have the patience and skills to act as a Coach, and would be interested in participating in the Project, please leave a message on the Project's Discussion Page.

• User:Michael David

Rules

1. Each sandbox is for a self selected team. Ask to join. Unhelpful comments from passersby are to be deleted.
2. Discussion topics must not be about any living person.
3. No censorship of which discussion techniques are deliberately practiced so long as all involved agree.

See also

• Wikipedia:Admin coaching
• Wikipedia:Adopt-a-User
• Wikipedia:Coaching

Further reading

• American Society of Civil Engineers - Continuing Education - ASCE Leadership Tools article Effective Meetings - Meeting Techniques
• Abstract: Web-Based Online Collaborative Learning