Everybody uses Wikipedia, and I use it all the time. ... The problem I have is with students using that as a source, to say that I will cite this in my essay that this is a source that's reputable. ... Sometimes with students, to show them the power of Wikipedia and the fact that it can be edited, because they don't really realize that, I'll set up an assignment that involves some arcane piece of history and then create a Wikipedia article that refers to it and have the students go out and use that Wikipedia article, because I know they're looking for it.If you liked this and would like to read the whole interview with Steve Maher on Frontline click here.
I'll put an article up at 8:00 and have them do a homework assignment, and then around 9:30 or 10:00 at night I'll change the article. You'll see the students who did it later in the evening come up with an entirely different answer. Then the next day in class I'll bring them up and say, "OK, let's see what your answers are," and show them I can tell what time you did your homework by what your answer is, and then introduce the idea that Wikipedia is something that changes all the time. ...
Friday, March 28, 2008
How To Use Wikipedia In Your Assignment
I saw this great idea being used by a Social Science teacher in New Jersey.
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I don't let my students use Wikipedia because of this very point. I tell them that I can change a topic and make it completely inaccurate and untrue. For example, Roe v. Wade appears to be a case on gun control instead of dealing with abortion. I'm just lazier than Steve Maher and don't actually create a Wikipedia article myself:)
ReplyDeleteI agree with you but look at how he is stopping them from using it.
ReplyDeleteHe does NOT say "you can not do it!"
He lets them do it and by changing the article he lets them experience how wrong Wikipedia can be!