Wikipedia in science class

Our science teachers are discussing whether to allow students to use Wikipedia as a source for their research papers. What do you think of this source?
– Jessica, Orem, Utah

When I read your question, I had a flashback to my science classes BI (Before the Internet). In one project, the students would create booklets on endangered species. Prior to the class periods in the library, we brainstormed questions and possible sources of information. But where did the students go first? To The World Book Encyclopedia. It didn’t matter to the students that the set was more than 10 years old. It was accessible, easy to read, and had lots of illustrations. Rather than put the encyclopedias off-limits, the librarian and I used this teachable moment to discuss the value of using multiple sources of information and to acquaint students with other sources. Our rubric permitted only one encyclopedia in the list of references.

Fast forward to 2009. Enter a search term in your browser and the first resource will probably be an article from Wikipedia. The arguments against students using Wikipedia as a source are based on the fact that in a wiki, most of the entries can be edited by anyone and could contain inaccurate information. The article Wikipedia: Friend or Foe? presents two sides of the issue. There are also wiki-like websites in that many people contribute to them. You have to look at the small print to see they actually are wikis.

So we have a dilemma. Some schools block Wikipedia and some teachers will not accept student work if it contains references to Wikipedia articles. But students can access it outside of school, and I wonder if we ban Wikipedia outright, would students still use it without a citation or create a fake citation? The bigger issue is how we can help our students become critical consumers of the information available to them with a few clicks of the mouse. Your librarian will have advice on how to help students develop information literacy. The ability to evaluate websites for their accuracy, potential biases, and sources is a takeaway skill that students need to learn in all content areas, including science.

You can also help students by modeling the use of accurate and reliable resources. NSTA’s SciLinks has lists of vetted websites on many topics. You can use the My Favorite SciLinks feature to create a list of sites to share with your students. I know a social studies teacher who uses the website Jog the Web to create a collection (or track) of recommended websites for each unit. It could be an interesting project for students to suggest sites to add to the list. (I’ve created a track with resources related to wikis and information literacy.) Many teachers and students also have set up their own wikis to share information within a class. Students add information as they find it and evaluate what others have posted. Access can be limited to registered users.

I must admit when I need basic information on a topic, I’ll read the Wikipedia article. However, I would not cite a Wikipedia article as the only source. But I would scan the list of links and resources at the end of the article for additional information. If I were doing my life science project this year, I’d suggest that my students use Wikipedia as a starting point (as they used to use print encyclopedias), I’d still work with the librarian on recommending online and print resources, I’d start a list of appropriate websites (and have students suggest ones to add), and instead of creating booklets the students would contribute to a class wiki on the topic.

If anyone has examples of information literacy activities or wikis you’d like to share, please add a comment.

Related posts:

1. Citizen science: collaborative projects for teachers and their class
2. LOL in science class
3. Environmental activities
4. Moodles, wikis, and blogs
5. Science-related nonfiction books