From World Book to Wikipedia
Do you remember the 22 volume book set of World Book or Encyclopedia Britannica? Most students today have never looked in paper book encyclopedia because of a current technology that emerged in 2001. Wikipedia, a free online encyclopedia that anyone can add to or edit is shaping how many of our students are learning news facts and information. It has become one of the most popular online resources- statistics put Wikipedia as the eighth most-visited Internet site in the United States (Educes, 2010.)
The biggest problem or challenge that has been associated with Wikipedia is the reliability and quality of content due to the openly editable information. This was a much bigger issue when Wikipedia was first launched, but is more reliable today, depending on the subject. In a recent study by CNET News, Wikipedia was found to be just as accurate as and more up to date with current events than Encyclopedia Britannica (CNET News, 20100.
The societal need that Wikipedia meets is the ability for anyone to share their depth of knowledge and interest on any particular subject matter and for everyone to learn from each other. The greatest benefits are the up to date and always changing of information that makes it a great source for students to start with when doing research. I allow my students to use Wikipedia as one source of reference, but they must always find a second source that confirms that information.
The only thing that would make this technology better would be to develop a more sophisticated check of all information that is posted for accuracy with all viewpoints presented, leaving biases aside; however, the volunteer editors do an incredible job of monitoring the ever changing content.
References:
http://www.educause.edu?ELI/7ThingsYouShouldKnowAboutWikip/161666
http://news.cnet.com/Study-Wikipedia-as-accurate-as Britannica/2100-1038_3-5997332.html
Graphic:
http://himaarmenia.files.wordpress.com/2009/08wikipedia-logo.jpg
