Up until this past year, I've always told my students to avoid Wikipedia, that it is not a valuable source much less a reliable one. In fact, I told them that Joe Blow from Alaska with a 3rd grade education could claim he was a nuclear physicist and write a Wikipedia entry. But I guess that is true about pretty much anything online.
However, Wikipedia is changing. Sources are cited, links are presented. Anyone can still contribute content, but it seems like the site has taken steps to add some legitimacy. Dan Gillmore said Wikipedia was a great place to start but a bad place to stop. I have to admit that I still am leery of Wikipedia. Even thoug Alan referenced it last night and I believe it popped up in another session, I am still untrusting.
How do the rest of you feel about Wikipedia? What is your policy/past practice regarding its use in your classroom?
www.wikipedia.com
Jackie Ludka
Pleasant Valley High School
Brodheadsville, Pa
I tell them its a wonderful starting point. Its a place to learn more about a broad topic in order to narrow their focus to get their angle (in journalism class) or thesis (in English class). I encourage them to use it FIRST and then go to reputable sources. I want them to know it has its place, just like FB and Twitter do, BUT its place is not one of credibility. Its an idea generator.
ReplyDeleteAmelia Wright
West Morris Central High School
Chester, NJ
Jackie,
ReplyDeleteI've told students this too--I've found that some subjects are incredibly accurate--science and math topics are outstanding. Many writers have to publish on Wikipedia before other journals will even consider them. However, I've also gone on and purposely changed info in order to prove my point that we can't take info at face value. Students need to be thoughtful consumers of media and really think about the reliability of what's out there. The links are a good place to send students. Look here first and then go and see what's recommended as a better place to look for more info. Wikipedia is a starting point--not the finishing line.
Jamie Nusbaum
Sheboygan North HS
Sheboygan, Wis.
I think that Wikipedia is a great idea generator for further research. Most of the time you can get a fairly accurate overview of a topic by reading the Wikipedia entry. Then this helps you choose a tighter focus which you then back up with more reliable sources. Also, the references a the bottom of the page are a good research starter.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that he showed us how to find the history of changes. I'm going to point that out to my students. In the past I've told them to stay away from Wikipedia. (I found an article there that said a graduate from our high school became President of the U.S.) I do see the value of using it as a starting point.
ReplyDeleteFYI: Googledocs also gives you the history of changes on a document. Last year a student said he had conducted an interview with someone through googledocs; however, the student was the only one who edited the document. He answered his own interview questions and tried to pass it off as collaboration.
Donna Owen
Wikipedia is a great resource if used correctly. I used it all the time in my ELL classes in the simple English feature to help them with learning terminology that might be associated with history or science. I agree with the first comments that it is a good place to start or a good place to get your tidbits of information from but it should not be your last and final bible of information.
ReplyDeleteHeather Jancoski
Desert Sands Middle School
Phoenix, AZ
Jackie. I think the quote "You can start with Wikipedia, but you can't end there" is the best policy. I use the site for basic info, but try not to stay there for too long. If I got anything out of this session, it is that quote above. Kelly
ReplyDelete