Cons of Wikipedia
- Less popular topics will most always contain less trustworthy information because fewer people are editing them.
- Easier resources, like Wikipedia, do not equal academic resources.
- ·Because the content is free, there is a chance that less research is involved in creating the articles.
- ·Anyone (literally, anyone) with access to the Internet can edit the articles.
- · Entries tend to be fragmented and unsubstantiated
- ·People's names/pictures are used without their permission.
Pros of Wikipedia
- ·Saves time and eliminates face to face meetings
- ·Adds variety to the educational process
- Reading what others have written could provide insight for other students.
- Chance to teach students how to form judgments on accuracy of information on the internet
- ·Promote student-to-student participation
- ·Would allow parents to view what their children are working on and see the thought process and development of their child at work.
- · Promotes collaboration.
Hello Briggette,
ReplyDeleteI like the way you set up the pros and cons of wiki.
What do you think of using this in the classrooms?
As mentioned in Deters_etal_2010, "Wiki in Instruction", the simplicity of its features can help students or teachers create something quickly or collaborate on any topic. I think as a part of instruction, sometime we have students review each others work for accuracy wiki can be used. For example have the students discuss bad resumes or cover letters on wiki, by giving some links to bad resumes and cover letters. This way the class can come up with a list of what makes a good resume or a good cover letter.
These are just my thoughts on how wiki can be used.
Thank you for your wonderful ideas Sneha!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Sneha that this could be an effective activity to do with the class. I could imagine creating a Wiki first with the students and then have them create a pros and cons list afterward as a class to discuss both its value and challenges as a legitimate source for research.
ReplyDeleteDeters et al. (2010) mentions however that in instruction, some students don't enjoy using Web 2.0 tools as important or effective because they aren't always scored or treated the same as "regular" classroom activities. As a teacher, how could you demonstrate value in this activity to your students in order to encourage their buy-in?
To answer Alan's question, there needs to be concerted effort to publish and publicize the work. For example, if students know that only the class and teacher will view the wiki, it's not that different from most assignments. However, if their work is shared with a) parents or b) experts (e.g., sharing a science wiki on water quality with the EPA or MI DEQ), and gets feedback and/or encouragement from other audiences, they'll be more likely to view the work as authentic rather than just another project on the internet.
ReplyDelete