Wikipedia in Education

Here are some divergent and sometimes provocative views of Wikipedia--its use in education and its value as a source. This is a topic that we will discuss during the presentation.

Below is an excerpt from Marc Prensky's Search vs Research:

...What should we teach our kids about Wikipedia?

First, that it’s a source. Second, that it’s never the only source.

And third, that merely searching, finding and citing the Wikipedia—or even the Brittanica—does not constitute "research," even by an elementary school kid. Students need to be taught early to cross check information, to consult multiple sources, and to go to, read and cite original documents and sources, where they exist. Especially in this time and political climate, students must be taught not to necessarily believe what they hear or read—even from so-called ‘experts,"—but to always look for additional, corroborating sources. (By the way, that’s the "re" in research.)


"Search vs. Research Or, the Fear of The Wikipedia Overcome by New Understanding for a Digital Era" by Marc Prensky
http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky-Search_vs_Research-01.pdf

"Anonymous Source is Not the Same as Open Source" by Randal Stross March 12, 2006 New York Times, Section 3, page 5.
http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F1081FFA38550C718DDDAA0894DE404482 (Web version is part of NYTimes Premium Services)

Nature's comparison between Wikipedia and Britannica
http://www.nature.com/news/2005/051212/full/438900a.html

"Fatally Flawed" Britannica's Rebuttal to Nature Magazine
http://corporate.britannica.com/britannica_nature_response.pdf

Wikipedia's Article on Britannica's Rebuttal
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Wikipedia_Signpost/2006-03-27/Britannica