Comments on: Encouraging learners to use and author WikiPedia http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2007/12/13/encouraging-learners-to-use-and-author-wikipedia/ Weblog of Wesley Fryer Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:55:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Infidel http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2007/12/13/encouraging-learners-to-use-and-author-wikipedia/comment-page-1/#comment-45266 Infidel Fri, 14 Dec 2007 23:05:01 +0000 http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2007/12/13/encouraging-learners-to-use-and-author-wikipedia/#comment-45266 This "radical transparency" must have been what prompted Wales to get on the back of the whistleblower. We're hearing about this IN SPITE of Wikipedia policies and the way they are put to work. This “radical transparency” must have been what prompted Wales to get on the back of the whistleblower.

We’re hearing about this IN SPITE of Wikipedia policies and the way they are put to work.

]]> By: Wesley Fryer http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2007/12/13/encouraging-learners-to-use-and-author-wikipedia/comment-page-1/#comment-45264 Wesley Fryer Fri, 14 Dec 2007 22:12:11 +0000 http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2007/12/13/encouraging-learners-to-use-and-author-wikipedia/#comment-45264 This situation about "Durova" does not equate to uncredentialed, ignorant folks off the street" being the authors of all content on WikiPedia. I would refer you and others following this situation to Stewart Mader's post <a href="http://www.thecontentwrangler.com/article/5_reasons_the_wikipedia_secret_mailing_list_isnt_a_big_deal/" rel="nofollow">"5 Reasons The “Wikipedia Secret Mailing List” Isn’t A Big Deal."</a> As Stewart points out, the fact that there is radical transparency to the WikiPedia editing community is the reason we're hearing about this, and that's a good thing. Of course there have to be procedures to deal with trolls who want to disrupt and virtually vandalize content on WikiPedia rather than help it continue to grow into a viable information resource. I don't know all the details about Durova, but I do have some insight into the editing and spam prevention methods in place by WikiPedia editors. They have to have procedures in place to deal with problems and people who want to cause problems. Whenever people have power over others, especially large numbers of people, there are going to be problems and issues. The way this has and is being handled points to WikiPedia editors having to deal with problems and issues like any organization-- except that this "laundry" is out in the open for all to see. Again, this situation does not refute or argue against the viability of WikiPedia as an information resource, or the value in inviting people to actively contribute to it. I think the article you linked to in "The Register" is taking a less than balanced view of this situation. I stand by my original contentions in this post. This situation about “Durova” does not equate to uncredentialed, ignorant folks off the street” being the authors of all content on WikiPedia. I would refer you and others following this situation to Stewart Mader’s post “5 Reasons The “Wikipedia Secret Mailing List” Isn’t A Big Deal.” As Stewart points out, the fact that there is radical transparency to the WikiPedia editing community is the reason we’re hearing about this, and that’s a good thing. Of course there have to be procedures to deal with trolls who want to disrupt and virtually vandalize content on WikiPedia rather than help it continue to grow into a viable information resource. I don’t know all the details about Durova, but I do have some insight into the editing and spam prevention methods in place by WikiPedia editors. They have to have procedures in place to deal with problems and people who want to cause problems. Whenever people have power over others, especially large numbers of people, there are going to be problems and issues. The way this has and is being handled points to WikiPedia editors having to deal with problems and issues like any organization– except that this “laundry” is out in the open for all to see. Again, this situation does not refute or argue against the viability of WikiPedia as an information resource, or the value in inviting people to actively contribute to it. I think the article you linked to in “The Register” is taking a less than balanced view of this situation. I stand by my original contentions in this post.

]]> By: Infidel http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2007/12/13/encouraging-learners-to-use-and-author-wikipedia/comment-page-1/#comment-45260 Infidel Fri, 14 Dec 2007 19:37:20 +0000 http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2007/12/13/encouraging-learners-to-use-and-author-wikipedia/#comment-45260 "Many misconceptions about WikiPedia abound. Lots of people still think all the articles are authored by uncredentialed, ignorant 'folks off the street'" Which is just the case. "To take this learning curve to the next level, however, I think it is appropriate to invite people to CONTRIBUTE and help AUTHOR WikiPedia articles." And then tell them to pray they never fall prey to people like Durova: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/12/04/wikipedia_secret_mailing/ “Many misconceptions about WikiPedia abound. Lots of people still think all the articles are authored by uncredentialed, ignorant ‘folks off the street’”

Which is just the case.

“To take this learning curve to the next level, however, I think it is appropriate to invite people to CONTRIBUTE and help AUTHOR WikiPedia articles.”

And then tell them to pray they never fall prey to people like Durova:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/12/04/wikipedia_secret_mailing/

]]> By: lindsey http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2007/12/13/encouraging-learners-to-use-and-author-wikipedia/comment-page-1/#comment-45163 lindsey Thu, 13 Dec 2007 19:13:30 +0000 http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2007/12/13/encouraging-learners-to-use-and-author-wikipedia/#comment-45163 This is a fabulous idea. Getting students to actually analyze what is printed on Wikipedia can be a great learning tool. I do not know if I would go so far as to say that they should be using it in research project but I think allowing them to do assignments that deal with really looking at an article on Wikipedia and seeing how they would make it better is a great way to get students involved in their learning., This is a fabulous idea. Getting students to actually analyze what is printed on Wikipedia can be a great learning tool. I do not know if I would go so far as to say that they should be using it in research project but I think allowing them to do assignments that deal with really looking at an article on Wikipedia and seeing how they would make it better is a great way to get students involved in their learning.,

]]> By: Mathew http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2007/12/13/encouraging-learners-to-use-and-author-wikipedia/comment-page-1/#comment-45162 Mathew Thu, 13 Dec 2007 18:51:38 +0000 http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2007/12/13/encouraging-learners-to-use-and-author-wikipedia/#comment-45162 This makes a lot of sense. I would hope that over time the community corrects misinformation. The only problem is that there are always going to be less people editing than those just reading. I think the value in a site like Wikipedia (or any web site) is working with students to synthesize multiple sources and evaluate information for correctness and bias. This makes a lot of sense. I would hope that over time the community corrects misinformation. The only problem is that there are always going to be less people editing than those just reading.

I think the value in a site like Wikipedia (or any web site) is working with students to synthesize multiple sources and evaluate information for correctness and bias.

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