I completely agree! Telling students that Wikipedia is "unreliable" wont'
keep them from using it *every time* they are assigned a research project.
It's just what they (or most of them at any rate) do. So we teach them to be
smart: use Wikipedia to get background information about their topic, learn
a few keywords, dates and people that are pertinent, and prepare themselves
to then find the important primary and secondary sources they will need. Use
the page bibliographies that are often quite good. And even: evaluate the
information they read in Wikipedia after becoming more knowlegable about
their topic. We don't allow any kind of encyclopedias in our bibliographies
- our projects are all primary/secondary source focused - but we do
encourage their use when framing the initial research.
I use Wikipedia almost every day! When a student or teacher comes to me
needing research help and I'm unfamiliar with the topic, I do a quick
overview in Wikipedia....
Cathy
--
Cathy Rettberg, Head Librarian
Menlo School
Atherton, CA
http://library.menloschool.org
On Wed, Sep 30, 2009 at 2:33 PM, Kathy Fester <kfester@shelton.org> wrote:
> I'm going to be the one who is contrary on this topic! Students (and
> teachers and administrators) all use Wikipedia and they will continue to do
> us. Most of us do, as well. So we need to teach them how to use it
> effectively and finding authority. There are some valuable resources through
> Wikipedia and good ways to use it to take advantage of some of the recent
> research. And there are specific things to be aware of. Have a look at my
> PowerPoint I've given to staff: "WikipediaWise." There is no commentary, but
> seems to be fairy intuitive--just take time going through the presentation
> as different areas are highlighted bit by bit. I'd welcome any responses!
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
> You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
> by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
> To change your LM_NET status, you send a message to:
> listserv@listserv.syr.edu
> In the message write EITHER:
> 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET
> 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
> 3) SET LM_NET MAIL
> 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST
>
> * LM_NET Help & Information: http://lmnet.wordpress.com/
> * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
> * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://lm-net.info/join.html
> * LM_NET Supporters:
> http://lmnet.wordpress.com/category/links/el-announce/
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
> Kathy Fester
> Library Coordinator
> The June Shelton School & Evaluation Center
> Dallas, TX 75248
> 972-774-1772 x255
> kfester@shelton.org
>
> "...to ensure that students and staff are effective users of ideas and
> information." Information Power, 1998
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
> You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
> by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
> To change your LM_NET status, you send a message to:
> listserv@listserv.syr.edu
> In the message write EITHER:
> 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET
> 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
> 3) SET LM_NET MAIL
> 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST
>
> * LM_NET Help & Information: http://lmnet.wordpress.com/
> * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
> * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://lm-net.info/join.html
> * LM_NET Supporters:
> http://lmnet.wordpress.com/category/links/el-announce/
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, you send a message to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER:
1) SIGNOFF LM_NET
2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL
4) SET LM_NET DIGEST
* LM_NET Help & Information: http://lmnet.wordpress.com/
* LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
* EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://lm-net.info/join.html
* LM_NET Supporters: http://lmnet.wordpress.com/category/links/el-announce/
--------------------------------------------------------------------
LM_NET
Mailing List Home