Today I introduced my students to their next research project for communications class. Each were assigned a social media site and asked to answer some questions about its history, purpose, and use by individuals and businesses. We have quite a locked down web filter in our school at the present, so most of the sights they wanted to research about are blocked.
I told them flat out, other teachers may tell you to avoid Wikipedia, but I want you to use it. It might be your best source of information.
Yep. That's what I believe.
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I told them..
Yes, pages get changed. Yes anyone can edit it. But, most pages that get messed with are the controversial ones.
If you're unsure if the page is correct, check another source like you should be doing anyways.
The footnotes of most Wikipedia pages are treasure troves of other resources you could check out.
People adopt and edit Wikipedia pages to make sure they stay clean.
These pages may be the most up to date information you can find.
Use it.
Be critical of it.
Wikipedia is not bad.
It's good.
