I agree with Frances about Wikipedia being a useful point of departure,
which can then lead students to look further into a topic. If we want our
students to become critical thinkers, then learning how to evaluate the
academic credibility of any source material is a crucial skill they have to
learn to develop as part of their studies.
Tracy Johnson
--On 08 March 2007 22:49 +0000 Frances Bell <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> A very eminent international scholar visiting us used a Wikipedia
> definition of x in one of his lectures. When challenged about this, he
> said he thought it was one of the best definitions he had read. I think
> the point is that the content is of very variable quality and the
> Wikipedia cannot be used as a badge of high or low quality. Personally, I
> think Wikipedia can be a good point of departure and if students go from
> there to check orignal sources, then that is scholarly behaviour.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: learning development in higher education network on behalf of
> Christine Keenan Sent: Thu 08/03/2007 14:25
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Using wikipedia
>
> I've heard that the error rate in Wikipedia isn't too different to
> Encyclopedia Britannica!
> Chris
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: learning development in higher education network
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Pat Hill
> Sent: 08 March 2007 13:16
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Using wikipedia
>
>
>
>
> Hi David
> I'm not sure about the whole University but I know that in the
> School of Music, Humanities and Media using Wikipedia seems to be akin
> to using your Aunty Ethel's cousin's husband's anecdote as evidence,
> judging by the moral indignation it evokes. My view is that it's not a
> bad starting point if you want a way into a difficult topic but it can't
> be quoted as a reliable source.
> Regards
> Pat
> Pat Hill
> Academic Skills Tutor
> School of Music, Humanities and Media
> Tel 01484 472170
> Room WG20 West Building
> University of Huddersfield
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: learning development in higher education network
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of David Donnarumma (Staff)
> Sent: 08 March 2007 12:51
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Using wikipedia
>
>
>
> Hello,
>
> I came across the following article
> (http://education.guardian.co.uk/elearning/story/0,,2028515,00.html
> <http://education.guardian.co.uk/elearning/story/0,,2028515,00.html> )
> which involves students writing for wikipedia - similar to the 'evolving
> writing wiki'. An interesting way of getting students to develop their
> writing, as what they produce is open to discussion by many people. I
> think it really helps to develop students' reflective approach to
> writing. Another interesting point is the growing acceptance of
> wikipedia as a reference.
>
> Has anybody else had an experience in developing
> students' writing in this way? How acceptable is wikipedia as a
> reference at universities?
>
> Regards,
>
> David
>
> Brunel University
>
>
>
>
>
>
> 1 Vision. Our students voted us top new University for student
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----------------------
Dr Tracy Johnson
Teaching Support Unit
University of Bristol
[log in to unmask]
0117 331 7168 (x17168)
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