Description

 

Entering text into the query box above will search the library of knowledge stored in Wikipedia.  Wikipedia is an open source resource based on five fundamental principles (Wikipedia contributors, 2019a): 

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1. It is an encyclopedia and acts as a forum for knowledge, not advertising or soapboxing.

2. It is written with a neutral point of view authoritative and verifiable sources.

3. It offers free content with media that is available to the public in through a creative commons licencing agreement.

4. It is edited in a respectful and welcoming manner by any member of the public.

5. It has no firm rules and provides exceptions on a case by case basis.

6. ​

The result is an adaptive and expanding curation of knowledge.  Almost any subject or event of public interest is documented with supporting primary source information.  Edits to content are sourced and tracked.  It has become an introductory resource for everything.

 

Examples and Rationale

 

It is amazing how pervasive my Wikipedia use has become.  When selecting digital tools to include in this survey Wikipedia did not immediately come to mind because of my habitual use and familiarity with the website.  It wasn’t until I observed grade 7 students using Wikipedia based resources for researching animal species that I was remined how powerful a resource it has become.  Previously I conducted research in a biochemistry lab.  When investigating a new a new research technique I often used Wikipedia as an introductory first resource.  I found surprisingly detailed and accurate information with linked citations to primary sources.  Previous and current lab members also use Wikipedia to explain our research (Wikipedia contributors, 2019b). 

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Through Wikipedia anyone can add, edit and review content at any time if they have internet access.  It highlights the importance of internet connectivity in society (NDTV, 2014)    Given its adaptive and changing nature, it is not an effective primary research source, but is best viewed as a powerful curative resource.  The ability to effectively curate and compile information is an essential part of modern education (Garcia 2017).  Classrooms increasingly becoming a place where students learn to interact and apply knowledge instead of a place where knowledge is memorized (Laufenberg, 2010).  Wikipedia provides a template for how a classroom community can work together to create and communally curate a body of knowledge.  This template has the ability to redefine how communities compile, share and edit information when evaluated with the SAMR model (Puentedura, 2013).

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References

 

Gonzalez, J. (2017, April 15) To boost Higher-Order Thinking, Try Curation. [blog] Cult of Pedagogy. Retrieved from https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/curation/

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Laufenberg, D. (Nov. 2010). How to learn?  From mistakes. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/talks/diana_laufenberg_3_ways_to_teach?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare

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NDTV (2014, October 9). Connectivity is a Human Right:  Mark Zuckerberg to India. [video] retrieved from https://youtu.be/-C7pGsEiXoE

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Puentedura, R (2013, January 7) Technology in Education:  A Brief Introduction [video] retrieved from https://youtu.be/rMazGEAiZ9c

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Richter, S. (2016, March 21) [forum post] retrieved from https://stackoverflow.com/questions/36138960/inserting-an-input-that-searches-wikipedia-on-my-website

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Wikipedia contributors. (2019a, July 27). Wikapedia: Five pillars. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved, November 17, 2019, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Five_pillars

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Wikipedia contributors. (2019b, July 27). ParABS system. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 13:37, November 17, 2019, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=ParABS_system&oldid=908162276