[CALIBK12] Wikipedia: Your source for inaccuracies

[Darla Brown]

Thank you, Judy, for sharing this article with us. If, as Connie suggested, students always check at least 2 websites before noting an event as fact, Wikipedia is fine. The problem is, they don't--especially when they're home doing an assignment, and not under a TL's watchful eye.

For that reason, I always steer students toward our [rather expensive, let's face it] Gale informational database. I explain to them the difference between "refereed" articles and those that are not, and that as their teacher, I want them to use "good" information in order to make their research easier and more efficient.

I also agree with Tom that one of our jobs as TLs is to teach students to evaluate information--not just on the Web, but in general. It's an important job, and we need to work toward it daily. Unfortunately, that's not going to happen in the first semester of freshman year. So in the  meantime, I will continue to steer those young minds that have been entrusted to me toward info that's been peer-reviewed by the experts.

Mrs. Darla Brown, TL, M.Ed.
Teacher Librarian
Garces Memorial High School
"60 Years of Excellence in Catholic Education"
661-327-2578 x133
dbrown at garces.org


-----Original Message-----
From: calibk12-bounces at lists.sjsu.edu [mailto:calibk12-bounces at lists.sjsu.edu] On Behalf Of Judy Johnson
Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 3:06 PM
To: calibk12 at lists.sjsu.edu
Subject: [CALIBK12] Wikipedia: Your source for inaccuracies

Hey, fellow librarians,
I am always preaching to my students about the "evils of Wikipedia." I'm always trying to get through to them that Wikipedia is not an accurate source for research.  Well, a friend gave me the ammunition I need to really get the message across.  There is an article on MSNBC.com that backs up the warnings I give to students everyday.  You might find it useful, too.  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28799154/



Judy Johnson
Teacher Librarian
Baird Middle School
5500 N. Maroa Ave.
Fresno, CA  93704

Judy.Johnson at FresnoUnified.org

(559)451-4310

"Research means that you don't know, but are willing to find out." - Charles F.


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