Posts
Based on an article by Marshall Kirkpatrick
Original Publication Date: 7/18/11
Wikipedia is implementing a content rating system. User of Wikipedia will be able to rate the site’s content for “trustworthiness, objectivity, completeness and quality of writing” (Kirkpatrick, 2011). This appears to be an easy way for readers to provide feedback to the site. The rating system is only available on limited English articles (100,000) but will be rolled out in increments to cover all 3.6 million English articles (Kirkpatrick, 2011).
The rating system could produce interesting projects for education. After reading the article I thought of having students critically analyze the Wikipedia article, post their ratings, and provide supporting details for those ratings. Not only will students be reading applicable content but they will also be developing vital skills for critically analyzing online resources.
Kirkpatrick, M. (2011, July 18). Wikipedia rolling out article rating system - what do you think? [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/wikipedia_rolling_out_article_rating_system_-_what.php
The rating system could produce interesting projects for education. After reading the article I thought of having students critically analyze the Wikipedia article, post their ratings, and provide supporting details for those ratings. Not only will students be reading applicable content but they will also be developing vital skills for critically analyzing online resources.
Kirkpatrick, M. (2011, July 18). Wikipedia rolling out article rating system - what do you think? [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/wikipedia_rolling_out_article_rating_system_-_what.php
I just learned about this rating system the other day for Wikipedia and I think your proposal would test your students critical thinking skills. I want to look into this rating system more closely to analyze how this system works exactly. I am not sure if a rating system will improve the credibility of this website. It all depends on who is doing the rating for me to see this as a credible system. Ratings can be all over the place if anyone is allowed to rate and you can see this when you look at reviews on many products. I wonder how this rating system will carry over into other countries.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Chad. Using the rating feature on Wikipedia would be a good way for students to evaluate information and claims, one of the higher levels of Bloom's Taxonomy. However, the rating system doesn't hold much value if anyone is allowed to evaluate without reasons and support. It seems to just add another layer of unreliability to this controversial topic.
ReplyDelete