Presentation
Writing for the world: Student contributions to Wikipedia
Teaching & Learning with Technology Conference at James Madison University
(2016)
Abstract
WikiEdu has made it easier than ever for faculty to integrate writing and editing the online encyclopedia Wikipedia into courses as a way to increase student learning. These assignments are “renewable assessments” that are not simply submitted for the instructor’s eyes and then discarded; they can contribute to public discourse on the topics being studied and provide value outside the classroom setting. Student misconceptions about how Wikipedia works and the repercussions of a mostly homogeneous editing corps are grounds for rich discussions about authority and the creation and control of knowledge in the digital age. This poster will discuss the value of contributing to Wikipedia as an alternative to a traditional research paper, the training and resources available to both faculty and students through WikiEdu, and students’ reflections on what they learned from their editing experiences in the presenter’s course during spring 2016. Tips for how to implement a Wikipedia assignment will be shared along with a few missteps to avoid.
Keywords
- wikipedia,
- renewable assessments,
- research paper alternatives
Disciplines
Publication Date
Fall 2016
Location
Harrisonburg, VA
Citation Information
Elizabeth Price. "Writing for the world: Student contributions to Wikipedia" Teaching & Learning with Technology Conference at James Madison University (2016) Available at: http://works.bepress.com/elizabeth-price/20/