Reflection on Wikipedia

Reflection on Wikipedia
Joe Hoffman
I rarely use Wikipedia as a resource for researching a topic because I have found that it is full of information primarily that every one already knows. That’s the point of an encyclopedia isn’t it? It’s a brief general knowledge resource. When I was young I must have read the entire encyclopedia set my family had, at least twice. I loved the pictures and would read at least the first few sentences of every subject. The internet is an indispensable tool for research and I fully support its use in school projects. As a teacher I would accept Wikipedia quotes from my students, in the right context.
The right context would be as an example of the contemporary level of understanding of a given subject. For example, take the subject of slavery. A student would do well to compare the definition, cultural perspective, and level of knowledge exhibited on Wikipedia as it compares to that of the times and places when or where slavery exists. Wikipedia can serve as a good source for finding generally excepted basic knowledge, but should not be taken as a true authority any more than your average encyclopedia should.
The article about Wikipedia did not make any strong arguments in ether direction other than his personal endorsement of Wikipedia use. I don’t feel that my opinion has changed about what to do with my students on this topic. I will except Wikipedia citations for basic info and comparisons, but will require that other sources be use in conjunction.
My policy surrounding internet research is simple. One has not done adequate research if they have failed to compare previously confirmed information with contemporary debate and speculation, making the use of the internet a necessity. However If one has not given great consideration to the previously established knowledge found primarily in books, then they have not don adequate research ether. In short, I will require both.