4 Wikipedia

Introduction

Wikipedia is one of the most commonly used sources of information. Given how often our students use this source, how can we help them make the best use of this resource while being aware of its weaknesses?

This section will contain three videos on using Wikipedia for research. Video 1 briefly covers what Wikipedia is, common issues with Wikipedia, and how to use Wikipedia for research. Videos 2 and 3 are deeper dives into the content introduced in video 1. Video 2 delves more into the common issues of Wikipedia with more specific examples and detail. Video 3 provides a longer, more detailed look at how to use Wikipedia for research.

We recommend using all the videos in this section and have designed a sample lesson that incorporates all three videos. However, you can use the content as you see fit or design your own lessons and activities. We have provided additional activities if you wish to expand the content. We have also continued to focus on politically and socially neutral topics and encourage you to choose topics and subjects that best suit the context of your classroom and students.

These video would pair well as an introduction to research for projects such as:

• ELA A10
  • Historical persona essay
  • Inquiry report
• ELA B10
  • Point of view essay
  • Biographical profile
  • Problem-solution essay

Lesson: Using Wikipedia for Research

Introduction: This video (approximately 10 minutes) provides an introduction and overview of Wikipedia, common issues with Wikipedia, and how to use Wikipedia for research. The video is intended for the grade 10 as it will introduce best practice research practices. The sample lesson will be approximately 50 minutes, but the video can be used to the teacher’s discretion. There are three videos, but core concepts are covered in video 1. Videos 2 and 3 provide deep dives into the pros and cons of how Wikipedia is edited and how to use Wikipedia for a specific inquiry question.

Target Audience: Grade 10

Learning Objectives

• Students will use Wikipedia to conduct research on a topic of inquiry
• Students will match information needs to the appropriateness of Wikipedia as a search tool
• Students will discuss the authority and perception of Wikipedia as a credible source of information
• Students will assess the weaknesses and strengths of using Wikipedia as a research tool

Outcomes

This lesson supports the indicators of the ELA Curriculum CR A10.4, CCA10.4, CR B10.4, CC B10.4 and the ACRL Information Literacy framework indicators Research as Inquiry, Authority is Constructed and Contextual, Search as Strategic Exploration, and Information Creation as a Process. For more detail please consult our crosswalk table of ELA Curriculum and ACRL outcomes.

Time: The content is intended to suit a 50 minute class, but could be reduced or expanded based on need or chunked into smaller lessons.

Video 1 Summary: This [12:53] video covers how Wikipedia gathers and edits content and some of the biases associated with Wikipedia. It will also feature a demo of how to assess the quality of a Wikipedia page, including important tools that are beneficial when starting your research with Wikipedia. Finally, the video concludes with a quick summary of how to use Wikipedia for schoolwork and research at all levels. If you’d like to do a deeper dive into the biases of Wikipedia and using Wikipedia for research. We recommend you review videos 2 and 3.

This video does have interactive elements to check viewers’ knowledge.

Video 2 Summary: This [10:42] video is a deep dive into the anyone-can-edit aspect of Wikipedia; including, how Wikipedia maintains quality control, biases within Wikipedia, lack of diverse representation within Wikipedia, and solutions Wikipedia has implemented.

Video 3 Summary: This [7:29] video points out some key features of a Wikipedia article and recommends several ways to use these features when using Wikipedia for research. The video uses the prompt of “Should Saskatchewan use small module reactors to generate electricity?”.

There is also an alternate version of video three that includes several “stop and think” slides designed to prompt class discussion. Just click play to resume the video when you want to continue.

Activities

1. Group activity: Design or assess your school’s Wikipedia page. If the page exists, evaluate the content. Consider what needs to be edited, updated, or added. Does the page meet the standards described in the videos? If the page needs to be created, what content should be included? What internal and external sources should be added?

2. Individual or small group activity: Have students assess a Wikipedia entry of their choosing (if tying this to one of the assignments mentioned above, have students pick an entry relevant to their research). Check for the signs of a good Wikipedia entry, check sources and links, and have students look at other sources to check for biases.

3. Individual or group activity: Have students fact check a Wikipedia entry. This activity is a shorter version of the Wikipedia entry assessment focusing just on ensuring the information is correct with references.

4. Individual or group activity: Follow the footnotes. Have students check the references and footnotes of a Wikipedia entry. Students should determine if the sources are of good quality (consider using the CRAAP test). This activity is a short version of the Wikipedia entry assessment focusing just on critically evaluating sources.

5. Individual or group activity: Have students compare the Wikipedia and Encyclopedia Britannica (available to all Saskatchewan schools) for a topic of your or their choosing. Consider the amount of detail for each entry, whether or not the topic existed in either encyclopedia, and the quality of information and resources.