Re: Wikipedia :
As an alternative to Wikipedia, you might want to recommend to students
several websites that have been vetted by members of the library
community, including lii.org , ipl.org , libraryspot.com ,
schools-wikipedia.org , scholarpedia.org , en.citizendium.org ,
newadvent.org , bubl.ac.uk , highschoolace.com , or libraryspot.com.
Of course, my favorite is my site, the Virtual Learning Resources Center
found at :
http://www.virtuallrc.com .
The Virtual LRC is both a human-edited directory and a meta-search engine
that searches exclusively information sites previously recommended by
teachers, librarians, and library and educational consortia world-wide.
More information about the VLRC can be found here :
http://www.virtuallrc.com/about.html .
Also, code to put a Virtual LRC search box on your school library page can
be found here :
http://www.virtuallrc.com/vlrcsearchbox.html
Sincerely,
Michael Bell
Former Chair, Texas Association of School Librarians
drmichaelbell@hotmail.com
Retired school and university librarian
webmaster at http://www.virtuallrc.com
webmaster at http://www.virtuallrc.com/magbot
webmaster at http://www..virtuallrc.com/alphamarks
webmaster at http://www.academicindex.net
> This topic is a sore one for many of us, I'd bet. Yes, we'd like kids
> to develop research skills, use proven databases and websites, etc.
> However, Wikipedia is free, simple to use, and according to a study by
> Nature (a well-respected interdisciplinary science journal), roughly
> as accurate as Encyclopedia Britannica. I've included links to
> references for this study below.
>
> I've got to say that my middle school kids, when doing research, all
> tell me right away: "Never use Wikipedia", in little robot
> voices...because they've been brainwashed into thinking it's "a guy in
> his mom's basement writing fake stuff" (just asked a kid in during
> lunch to return a book, "why can't we use Wikipedia?"). Because it's
> been pounded into their heads for a few years now. They like to use
> it for quick info, of course, as do I. But sometimes when kids are
> struggling to find another resource, I'll direct them to the footnotes
> and references on a relevant Wikipedia page. They look at me
> sideways, like I'm some crazy person, but when I show them how some of
> the links are actually to useful articles or pages, it becomes a
> favorite trick.
>
> None of the core teachers in my building accept Wikipedia as an actual
> citation, but if going to it helps you get a good working knowledge
> and figure out some other places to look...I say go for it!
>
>
> http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v438/n7070/full/438900a.html
>
>http://news.cnet.com/Study-Wikipedia-as-accurate-as-Britannica/2100-1038_3-5997332.html
>
> Lauren
>
> PS - Kathy, I don't see your PP (probably because LMnet won't accept
> attachments?) Could you send it to me? Thx!
>
> On Wed, Sep 30, 2009 at 5:33 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!
>>
>>
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>>
>> 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
>>
>>
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>
>
>
> --
> Lauren E. Straub
>
> Media Specialist
> Mill Creek Middle School
> Dexter (MI) Community Schools
> lbgoblue@gmail.com
>
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>
Dr. Michael Bell
Former Chair, Texas Association of School Librarians
drmichaelbell@virtuallrc.com
Retired school and university librarian
webmaster at http://www.virtuallrc.com
webmaster at http://magbot.virtuallrc.com
webmaster at http://alphamarks.virtuallrc.com
webmaster at http://www.academicindex.net
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