Technology & Learning - October 2007 - (Page 39)

Point of View » profile cases regarding Wikipedia tent with no vetting of their expereditors and entries—including a cititise. I did a little research on the zen finding erroneous information Web and located a 2006 Harris Poll about himself in Wikipedia, to many study indicating that in the United noted instances of posting copyrightStates, younger people are using the ed information from both print and Web more than older people; Web sources, to employees giving Internet users are more likely afflufalse credentials as editors. With a ent; and the majority of Net users collaborative project this large, high have earned a high school diploma or numbers of such incidents might be less. So, the United States “editors” expected. However, is this collaboraof content in Wikipedia may have tive “encyclopedia” the place we one or all of these characteristics. want to send students to gather inforHowever, Wikipedia reaches the mation? Why not entire world, not “I am concerned about the have them use just the United primary and secStates. Since only creation of content that is ondary sources about 18 percent ‘research worthy’ by authors (not a tertiary of the world’s source like population uses I know nothing about.” Wikipedia) to the Internet, a allow them to employ their own critipotential Wikipedia “editor” is part of cal evaluation skills to determine the a small, select group. What about the authority and validity of information expertise of the other 82 percent? and to draw their own judgments Wikipedia does have guidelines for about the relevant facts found in the the addition of content. The most original source? important one is the requirement Overall, I am most concerned that information is “verifiable,” and it about the creation of content that is asks the creators to include biblio“research worthy” by authors I know graphic citations to the original connothing about in online collaborative tent. Why don’t our students just environments. Wikipedia is the most conduct their own search, go directly noted of these online collaborative to the original content, and use their tools, but there are many others. I own critical evaluation skills to deterdon’t have the answer for the best mine if the information on the origiway to treat these tools in educationnal site is valid and authoritative and al settings. Should we allow students meets their research needs? An arguto use these tools as “sources consultment can be made that, if the user ed” but not “sources cited”? How do did not know anything about a topic, we teach critical evaluation of inforhe or she could use Wikipedia to mation when we have no way to acquire background information and determine authority? I guess I have keywords to begin his or her formal more questions than answers at this research. I agree that this might be a point. I will keep trying to figure it good use of this wiki. But, then again, out. the students are gathering the information from a person whom they Kathy Schrock is administrator for know nothing about. How does this Technology, Nauset Public Schools, help them determine the reliability of Orleans, MA. Her Web portal is information presented on topics they http://school.discoveryeducation.com/ know nothing about? schrockguide/. There have been many high- Today’s digital generation has access to music, video, images, information and other people on demand. They create MySpace personas, YouTube video clips, personal blogs and podcasts. They communicate with cell phones and instant messaging. They hang out online—often on social networking web sites. It is no wonder that this generation expects personalization from education too. HP’s new guide to creating digital learning environments will help those in your district see the future of teaching and learning and show them how to begin to create that environment today. Download this new eBook at: http://www.techlearning.com /diglearning Technology & Learning October 2007 | 39 http://www.techlearning.com/diglearning http://www.techlearning.com/diglearning http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schrockguide/

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Technology & Learning - October 2007 Editor’s Desk News & Trends Product Guide Reviews How Fast Is Fast Enough? Cover Story: Career Education in the Digital Age Getting It Wrong Higher Ed Point of View How To Bottom Line What’s New Emerging Tech

Technology & Learning - October 2007

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