Journal #9: “Point/Counterpoint Wikipedia: Friend or Foe?” (NETS-T I-V)

Hammond, T. & Farhie, D. (2009). Point/counterpoint Wikipedia: friend or foe?. Learning and Leading with Technology, 36(6), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/issues/Point_Counterpoint_Wikipedia_Friend_or_Foe.aspx

Summary:  Authors Thomas Hammond and David Farhie discuss the positive and negative contributions that Wikipedia has on society. Hammond believes that Wikipedia can be a very useful tool, in that it can help your students become critical thinkers and understand the uses of knowledge construction. He also state that Wikipedia should not be used primarily as an information source, but more as a structure source, as this is its best asset. Hammond suggests that students should navigate through Wikipedia and construct their own opinions and learn how to check resources for more accuracy. This is a great learning tool and should be incorporated into the curriculum.

David Farhie, on the other hand, believes that students should not be allowed to rely on Wikipedia as the “be-all, end-all authority” of information resources. Farhie proposes that teachers should be weary of allowing students to use Wikipedia as an information resource, that is, until it can be certified as factually correct information. He encourages teachers to focus not only on content, but also on truthful and factual content.

Question #1: Will I allow my future students to use Wikipedia as an information resource?

As a future educator, I believe that students should be molded into critical thinkers, and they should learn the skills necessary to question sources and information. I will allow my students to use Wikipedia, but not as the only, or main, source of information, but more as a supporting source.

Question #2: Have you personally used Wikipedia as an information resource?

To be honest, when performing school or work assignments, I have used Wikipedia as an information resource, but never as the primary source of information.  More so, I use Wikipedia for day to day questions and concerns. I believe that Wikipedia is a useful tool and I believe in Wikipedia’s message that information should be free to the world. I appreciate that they provide information to the public at no cost.