"Wikipedia is a free,web-based and collaborative multilingual encyclopedia. Its name is a portmanteau of the words wiki (a technology for creating collaborative websites, from the Hawaiian word wiki, meaning "quick") and encyclopedia. Wikipedia's 13 million articles (2.9 million in English) have been written collaboratively by volunteers around the world, and almost all of its articles can be edited by anyone who can access the Wikipedia website. Launched in 2001 by Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger, it is currently the largest and most popular general reference work on the Internet.
There is much debate within Tertiary level education which surrounds the authenticity of many websites content available on Wikipedia and the use of this within academic assignments and tasks. However, it is a very valuable tool to use within the primary and even secondary classroom as a starting point for students to gain information on a multitude of topics. Edutopia (2005) highlights the benefits of using Wikipedia in the classroom when they explain that the tool presents "a new challenge to classrooms, but a very positive and welcome one. It provides new sources, new methods for getting information, and new ways to take advantage of that online-focused mentality".
I have utilised this tool within learning experiences with a Year 3 cohort. The topic was on famous explorers. Students were able to research using this tool in a simple and easy to understand manner. I found the students to be very engaged with this effective e-learning tool.
Wikipedia (2009) What is Wikipedia Retrieved 15 August 2009 from
www.wikipedia.com.au
Edutopia (2005). Using Wikipedia in the classroom. Retreieved 15 August 2009 from
http://www.edutopia.org/using-wikipedia-classroom
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Hi Jess,
ReplyDeleteI too used Wikipedia for students to research famous explorers. I think Wikipedia is a great resource for students and definitely more engaging then going to the library to look a real encyclopedias in a book format. I also think that students are going to access Wikipedia at home, so if we can teach them how to distinguish credible information,it could be used effectively in the classroom.
Hope all is well in Sydney!
Hannah