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It is interesting that so many people are willing to accept Wikipedia. By its own admission: " Users should be aware that not all articles are of encyclopedic quality from the start: they may contain false or debatable information. Indeed, many articles start their lives as displaying a single viewpoint; and, after a long process of discussion, debate, and argument, they gradually take on a neutral point of view reached through consensus." Further: "Allowing anyone to edit Wikipedia means that it is more easily vandalized or susceptible to unchecked information.." So, at any given time, any article could be wholly inaccurate or false. Consensus of anyone, regardless of education, does not make for useful information for knowledge construction. If this is indeed valuable, then we can dispense with peer review journals. In fact, we can dispense with all research and education in general, since all we have to do is let people post information and come to a consensus on it. Being a technology discussion group, I think sometimes we get blinded by the technology. I think we need to educate students about Wikipedia and other web 2.0 technologies, but not have them use them for research. Last, I am wondering which grade levels people are using Wikipedia in. Certainly not high school level, which should be looking beyond simple encyclopedia articles. Probably lower and middle and elementary school students. James W. Beal, Ed.D. Director of Technology Somonauk Community Unit School District #432 ---------------------------------------------- Education is not what you think you have learned. It is how you have learned to think. --- Edtech Archives, posting guidelines and other information are at: http://www.h-net.msu.edu/~edweb Please include your name, email address, and school or professional affiliation in each posting. To unsubscribe send the following command to: LISTSERV@H-NET.MSU.EDU SIGNOFF EDTECH
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