Wikipedia provides links to other helpful sources. At the bottom of each entry is usually additional references, a "See Also," and/or a Bibliography list. Although NPR says that college students know not to cite Wikipedia in their academic writing, Wikipedia can jump start research.
Like other sources, though, Wikipedia has to be held up to credible source requirements. Using Wikipedia could be a valuable way of teaching students how to fact check and question the material they are reading. They can apply their media literacy and critical literacy to the articles. Wikipedia also notifies the reader about an article that may not be entirely reliable. In addition, the cite is valuable because it acknowledges that anyone can be an author and creator of published material. The Internet is a public place, where people have access to a plethora of information. We should not ban students from accessing basic information that can lead to extensive research and follow-up searches.
People are using Wikipedia. Universities are launching programs in order to become more involved with public policy. Teachers want students to use it in their searches. Just like any other cite, students should evaluate Wikipedia the free encyclopedia as a source and use it to further their research.
I love this! I am a HUGE fan of Wikipedia. I have heard the same comments before. "Ah you shouldn't use Wikipedia. It's not true." Whatever, whatever. I am so happy you have a similar position as me. I often use Wikipedia to jump start a project with some ideas. More often than not, if I want to know something, I can simply find it on Wikipedia. Why would we as educators take this opportunity to learn from our children???
ReplyDeleteAmy,
ReplyDeleteYou make some very valid points. I agree that Wikipedia can definitely be used to start their research. It has been proven that Wikipedia actually is pretty accurate even though anyone can edit the pages. However, since it has become more widely used, then it may be edited by people who have more knowledge. I do not know if that has changed, but it is something that even some professionals believe to be reliable.
Dear Amy,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your post! It is very thoughtful and insightful--you bring a wonderfully contreversial issue to our attention in a very respectful, logical way.
I do have to agree with you on many of your points. Wikipedia is a wonderful source to obtain a basic foundation for research. It provides a wonderful base from which to begin your more academic research. I do believe, however, that one of the main reasons for educators not allowing their students to use this source at all is because they are afraid of students using this as their main source of information and focusing only on this site rather than using it to acquire basic knowledge and to find other more academic resources available on the topic. Is this a strong enough reason not to use it? This is where the heart of the debate lies, I believe. If students are taught how to use this site properly and appropraitely and letting them know that you do not want them using it as their primary source, I see no problem with Wikipedia.
Thank you again for your thought-provoking post Amy! I look forward to reading your next one!
Courtney B.
Thanks Tony, Elizabeth, and Courtney for your responses. Courtney, I'm glad you brought up the point that, as teachers, we have to teach how to use Wikipedia appropriately and properly. We can't ignore the fact that it's practically always the first hit that comes up after a search.
ReplyDelete