I wonder if this debate over Wikipedia versus “reliable” sources doesn’t sometimes
overstate the reliability of traditional resources such as books and print
encyclopedias. As a reviewer of nonfiction in a small subject area I know a great
deal about, I have found numerous factual errors in trade nonfiction books from a
number of reputable publishers. This has included a rather expensive multi-volume
specialized encyclopedia heralded by at least one reputable review journal as the
best resource in that subject area. And let’s not forget that the World Book
Encyclopedia edited its content in the version published in the Republic of China
so as not to offend the Chinese authorities (about Taiwan and the Tian an Men
square protests of 1989
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6448199.html?q=world+book+china,
verified by personal correspondence with the World Book editor).
On the other hand, while comparing the Wikipedia entry of a couple of years ago on
Cuba with the article on Cuba in the Encyclopedia Americana, I was struck by the
way in which the Wikipedia article consistently used less loaded and more objective
language when referring to events or conditions in Cuba. I also recently spent some
time reading the Wikipedia logs on an entry, and was interested to see the amount
of care taken by the contributors to achieve verifiable accuracy and get rid of
opinion that was not backed up by outside sources.
I think we need to attempt to develop a more nuanced approach to both Wikipedia and
more traditional sources of information if we are to help our students to usefully
assess reliability and accuracy.
Sue Giffard
Ethical Culture School
New York, NY 10023
sgiffard@ecfs.org
(212)712-6292
"Perhaps the only victory available [is] the victory of the heart over its own
inclinations for despair, revenge and hatred." (Leonard Cohen, September 24, 2009)
-----Original Message-----
From: School Library Media & Network Communications on behalf of Bob Hicks
Sent: Mon 10/5/2009 12:17 PM
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Subject: Re: Wikipedia Statement
It seems to me your premise is faulty.
First, I'm not sure who "most" people are?
Second, are you using "majority rules" or "popularity rules" or, at
least, a large number of people as the basis or rubric for making and/
or influencing educational and curriculum decisions and course content
legitimacy?
Does your library subscribe to the National Inquirer? If not, why
not? It's circulation far exceeds USD Today or any other newspaper or
magazine. I imagine there are numerous "questionable" websites that
get far more hits than those we all bookmark. If popular, why don't
we all promote their use? Perhaps, it is because their EDUCATIONAL
value and importance are inferior to available alternatives. It seems
to me you are failing to distinguish between outside school behavior
with in school behavior--teaching Dan Brown along with Steinbeck or
"informal" language ("ain't") being interchangeable with formal
grammar usage. Also, selection and acquisition policies of school and
public libraries are NOT and should NOT be the same.
Third, because of your use of words like: "incredible", "unique", and
"superior", you have obviously concluded that it is a legitimate and
reliable and comparable to all other educational resources. If true,
from an educational and professional stand point, I find that position
incredible!
Finally, you say, "Many of the Wikipedia articles require
approval...." Approval from who? Do you know the educational
qualifications of who "who" is?
Bob Hicks
Arkansas City High School Library
Arkansas City, KS 67005
bob.hicks@usd470.com
On Oct 5, 2009, at 9:29 AM, Cuff, Alexis wrote:
> Karen Hornberger, the librarian at the Palisades High School in my
> district in Pennsylvania, came up with a statement that she has linked
> to her library website to share with the teachers within our district.
> She is also planning on linking Kathy Fester's powerpoint on the
> subject. If you have the time, I'd love to hear what you think!
> Please
> be honest if you think she is on the right track. Any comments are
> welcome!
>
>
>
> Library philosophy on Wikipedia used in research:
>
>
>
> General Statement:
>
> Wikipedia is a resource that most people use, therefore educators need
> to teach high school students (and each other) how to evaluate and
> interact with this resource effectively and responsibly. Educators
> would be neglecting our duty to educate if we ignore the fact that
> Wikipedia is regularly used and decline to provide students with the
> tools to use this incredible resource.
>
>
>
> Why is Wikipedia incredibly unique and, in some ways, superior?
>
> Print and electronic reference sources and articles within
> subscription
> databases do not provide the depth of authorship. The nature of
> multi-authorship allows for global coverage which becomes more
> comprehensive with less opportunity for bias (multiple
> perspectives/viewpoints). Subscription databases, while very useful
> resources (and should still be points in which researchers are
> directed
> towards), are more limited in terms of the presence of unique content
> available, the volume of content covered within an article, and the
> multiple reference links to resources which corroborate the
> information
> found within the article. Many articles within Wikipedia require
> approval for editing, helping to ensure the reliability of the
> information provided.
>
>
>
> What about the Schools version of Wikipedia?
>
> While the concept of this downloadable version, which remains static
> in
> an attempt to eliminate misinformation and offensive or age
> inappropriate language, is admirable, the searchable content is much
> more limited, making it frustrating in comparison.
>
>
>
> How do we suggest responsible use of Wikipedia?
>
> Wikipedia is a great stepping stone into further research and can be
> an
> extremely useful tool. Researchers should read an article in order to
> gain familiarity with the subject and corroborate the useful
> information
> by doing any of the following: following citations listed in the
> References or External Links section, searching for peer reviewed
> articles
> <http://www.palisadessd.org/606342315154648/lib/606342315154648/access_t
> o_scholarly_journals.doc> , searching within subscription databases,
> or
> executing a Google search while utilizing proper website evaluation
> techniques. While Wikipedia offers many comprehensive, quality
> articles, please remember that Wikipedia does not employ qualified
> editors to check facts and therefore promises no quality control of
> the
> information provided. However, ALL informational content is subject
> to
> misinformation and bias. Researchers need to keep this in mind while
> interacting with any piece of information.
>
>
>
> How do I cite my research?
>
> Cite the source that you have used in order to verify your information
> (corroborate) in your Works Cited list.
>
>
>
>
>
> Alexis Cuff
>
> Library Media Specialist
>
> Palisades School District
>
> Pennsylvania
>
> acuff@palisadessd.org
>
>
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