I've always minimized my use of Wikipedia as a resource because I
was constantly reminded of the zero credibility it had. But after this class I
realized Wikipedia can provide valuable information if people understand the
process of the information provided. I had no idea that people actually revised
the information to ensure creditability. I no longer have the perception that
Wikipedia is worthless to education. It’s important to be educated.
I once had a project on Spain in a poli-sci class. Unfortunately, my whole library did not have any books on Spain from the last two decades. It's funny how older generations fear the editing that makes wikipedia so great.
ReplyDeleteI was also always told that Wikipedia wasn't credible. I actually feel kind of, I don't know, liberated(?) after today. I love Wikipedia and use it a lot, but always felt a bit like a simpleton in lazily relying on it. I am excited to actually delve deeper into it. I never really explored the site beyond reading whatever it was that had caught my attention. I think it is really cool that our students can actually contribute to it in a meaningful way, as well. I would think that that would be super empowering to a kid. And, of course, we all want to empower our kiddos. I am looking forward to using this in my classroom, and to telling other people who, like I did, believe that it is inaccurate.
ReplyDeleteI hear ya, man. In the dark days of the early internet, we were told that our academic credibility would whither and die if Wikipedia was referenced. The dusty old volumes of academia were the true sources of knowledge and should be regarded as such. Today, all of that was turned on its ear. Its ability to be revised and updated in real-time makes it more relevant and credible than any outdated and dusty old volume. Yikes, did I just say that?
ReplyDelete