Well I have definitely learned a lot about Wikipedia. I must admit it has aways been a reference I was told to stay away from. After learning more about it I think it is an excellent source of information.
As in conventional encyclopedias, Wikipedia’s English language encyclopedia contains articles about topics traditionally considered important, but it also includes entries on all manner of contemporary popular culture and current events. (Crovitz & Smoot, 2009) The fact that it is ever changing and can be edited by anyone is considered a downfall of this resource. Yet, I consider this aspect the ultimate perk of Wikipedia. Here is an authentic demonstration that knowledge isn’t settled, that there are always more questions to ask and always differing perspectives on the answers. (Crovitz & Smoot, 2009) Meaning that it is current and representative of our society on current events. It is a tool that is a perfect example of ideas and research evolving which would be a great way to encourage learning to our students. Probably most teachers tell their students to stay away from Wikipedia because they think its only use is a reference. But Wikipedia is to be used differently than a normal encyclopedia. Because Wikipedia is constantly evolving, its entries often include unconventional sections that might never have been included in a traditional encyclopedia. (Crovitz & Smoot, 2009) I was also very surprised to discover that editing and management of the Wikipedia site is done but volunteers.That it is all non-profit. I believe this alone make it a more interesting and noble source of information. I was surprised also by the scrutiny that Wikipedia has encountered because it can be edited by anyone. As writer and educator Will Richardson has noted, Wikipedia’s goal is nothing less than “collecting the sum of human knowledge” in a vast, constantly growing digital repository. (Crovitz & Smoot, 2009) Maybe the biggest issue comes simple from the name and comparison to a resource like an encyclopedia. If Wikipedia was presented more as an archive maybe it would not experience so much scrutiny?
This is a time lapse of the first 12 hours of the Wikipedia article documenting the VT Massacre. Music is "tuff ghost" by the unicorns.
References
Crovitz, D. & Smoot, W. (2009, January). Wikipedia: Friend, not foe. English Journal, 98(3), 91-97. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/archival/EnglishJournalArticle2.pdf
The Virginia Tech video is fascinating!
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