Wikis

Reposted from December 2005

Do you know what a wiki is? Well, it is a new online tool where people can work collaboratively together to create documents and files. They come in all shapes, sizes, and styles. The idea is wonderful, incorporating the thoughts, ideas and knowledge of many individuals all in one place. The only problem is human nature.

# One of the newest wikis to appear in the last year is Wikipedia. A LOT of students in my library are using this online encyclopedia. Unfortunately, it is just too tempting for some individuals to alter an article or enter something that is wrong, misleading, or outrageous. You might want to read the following story that appeared on the USA Today website. A False Wikipedia 'Biography

To quote an individual in my Research Skills Authority Class Video......"The good thing is that everyone can become a source and the bad thing is that everyone can become a source." It is more important than ever to evaluate your sources. FYI, the source of the above quote has a "Harvard PHD" but still publishes work on the Internet that is not true. Figures!

Are you or your students using Wikipedia to write research papers?

Update: 12/22/05 Wikipedia discusses the USA article.

Update 06/14/06 Nature Magazine does a scientific comparison study of Wikipedia and Encyclopedia Britannica. Note links at top of screeen for updated information.

This story never ends....Students in my school edited Wikipedia articles they were using for a teacher's class making sure that their fellow students did not miss the finer parts of the article. We now have a famous Wikipedia teacher in our school due to this wiki contribution.

More....I just got a call from another librarian in the county....apparently one of his students also decided to contribute to this resource. Unfortunately, Wikipedia responded by putting this school's Internet provider on a warning list. It is entirely possible that Wikipedia may have to hire more warners. Human nature strikes again.

More...Students are finally catching on. Check out this article!!!