I view Wikipedia as a resource for my students because of the scope of content they are to seek. If I ask a student to look up student financial aid, then they are bombarded with definitions, origins, reports and references. I believe it serves as a resource for general information as well as content organizing. It is the great start of gathering information without going in depth. I do allow my students to utilize Wikipedia although its not a site that serves my population or subject area often.
Youtube is indeed an incredible resource for my students. Although anyone can contribute, upload and comment, I believe in the realm of College and Career Readiness, this serves as an advantage. My work involves connecting and collaborating for preparation. I like that many companies, organizations and businesses are utilizing Youtube for their videos. Teachers are utilizing Youtube for lessons and activities and students are utilizing it to create portfolios, resumes and admissions videos. I use Youtube frequently and find it as a benefit. Since some of my schools band it, I do have to download the videos and put them into my instruction but I take pride in assigning students videos to watch for homework or during down time.Heres an example of a video my students utilize:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbJ55UWMEFE
What age are your students? I'm guessing high school if they're looking at financial aid information. I was wondering, you said you assign them videos to watch at home because Youtube is blocked, do you ever run into students not having the technology or internet access available to do so? If so, how do you handle that?
ReplyDeleteMy school also blocks Youtube. It really stinks having to download videos ahead of time. There have been so many occasions that I have just wanted the students to "Youtube" it or as I'm teaching, I think of a great video to show but just can't produce it on the fly.
My stance on Wikipedia is very similar to yours. I prefer the students to use it for general information. Professor Siko brought up a good question. He asked if it is "possible to sort bad, good, really good information within Wikipedia (i.e., what would make one entry more trustworthy than another)?" I really don't believe that is possible to sort information into those categories on Wikipedia. There are just too many contributors to the wiki and too much information.
What do you think?
Hi Victoria,
ReplyDeleteMy students are high school students. I currently service 10th graders. I work at multiple schools so at some schools Youtube is blocked (DPS) at other schools (charters) I have access to Youtube. However, I do assign research assignments involving Youtube as homework but because of the scope of how and when I see my students, it isn't necessarily for home. My schools offer computer labs and designated time to work on the activities I assign. My goal is to teach my students to be resourceful because I am preparing them for college. Even if they don't have access to technology at home, they are learning to seek out resources that are available to them elsewhere. I have had students who didn't have technology at home so I put into place those designated times and labs where they could work on college prep work. Im glad that my schools embrace a college going culture.
I also don't believe that its possible to sort out bad, good and really good information on Wikipedia. I do however believe just as the Fu et al reading suggested that Wikipedia is a useful tool for information sharing and knowledge construction. I like to look at it as an organizer of information or the start of a great outline. I think its great for preliminary findings, and thought gatherings.
Realize that this is a problem beyond Wikipedia now that we have endless access to news and information. One needs to simply watch how several networks cover the same news story, then go to a factchecker site to see how well/poor the reporting was. At least Wikipedia can have people correct and edit incorrect information. Fox News and MSNBC (or Newsmax and MotherJones, more extreme left and right sites) post their information as truth without anyone able to correct it.
DeleteHow wonderful! I love that you're teaching your students to be resourceful and seek out the resources that they do not have. So many students just throw their hands up and say that they couldn't do it because they don't have this, that, and the other thing.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Wikipedia is a good organizer of information and definitely a great start of an outline. I also agree with Fu. Wikipedia is a wonderful place for knowledge construction.
Great post and response! Thank you!
Kiylise,
ReplyDeleteI also teach high school students and have use many technology tools with my students over the years. FYI if you want to use Youtube in your classroom, my students finally confide in me to let me know how they were able to get on Youtube
by https:www.youtube. You have to add the (s) or it will not work. Once I learned this secret, I was able to assign Youtube videos with no problem. When I learned this a few years ago by my students, I realized that they had a little leverage over me (Generational Differences-Unit 1). Meanwhile, I also use Wikipedia as a resource to allow the students site for gathering information. I know we should be able to sort out good, bad information but if your're not the expert what do you do?
Students know everything!!! I have had many teachable moments using Youtube. I've even had times where I've had to go off course or topic and just pop on a video for a deeper understanding. I think its fascinating and as fascinating as it is, its a great collaboration tool. I have had my students produce videos for Youtube as well.
DeleteSorting out good and bad information will always be a struggle and like you said if you're not the expert, then what do you do. I can remember reading information about a celebrity that was incorrect on Wikipedia and because I was such a fan I knew that it was incorrect...sad to say I didn't report or take action, I guess I was the expert in that case.
Although we find bad information in many sources that we are exposed to everyday, I realized that as a internet source, Wikipedia can be used as an example to show students how to exhibit information for written assignments. It can be used to have students review the information to determine if it reflects meaningful information or topics.
DeleteSo...the questions then becomes (as information is suspect from a variety of sources): How do we use ALL sources AND teach students to properly vet their information?
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ReplyDeleteThank you Kiylise for allowing your student to surf wiki, I always wonder; why do we mistrust Wikipedia nevertheless all of the resources are listed in the bottom, but never say anything about vetted YouTube and most likely we see no resources? I am a YouTube fan do not get me wrong; my point is Wikipedia deserve better than this.
ReplyDeleteFatina,
ReplyDeleteOne thing I really like about Wikipedia is its breakdown of information. Theres a section for general information, then theres origins, background history, family history, early career, and so on...I think this is great because even if my students can use this as a credible source they can begin an outline of what to search for in their research. Wikipedia is good!
That exactly what attracts me to check out Wiki.
ReplyDelete