Teachers are often telling students not to cite Wikipedia as a research source. I asked a Grade 9 Socials class during a library block a few weeks ago why they think this is the case and was pleased when I received the response, “Because anyone can change Wikipedia.” In fact, Wikipedia’s slogan is,  “The free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.”

I myself edited Wikipedia  just this week. I changed what it said about Richmond Christian School. Prior to the change, the write up mentioned nothing about our school mission, vision and core values and made it seem like RCS simply places importance on academics  when what really makes our school unique is our commitment to Christ-centered education. Compare the before and after images to see the change for yourself.

Changing Wikipedia was a fairly simple process. So then, how should students approach Wikipedia? My advice is with caution.

• Use Wikipedia for background information or as a general overview for a topic but dig deeper and search wider. Be sure you also consult books, magazines, newspapers, databases, videos, and reputable websites. Casting a wider net will result in a larger catch.
• Use Wikipedia as a jumping off point to further your research. Find new search terms or follow the references cited below the article and explore the resources used to create it for yourself.

In a world where we’re bombarded by information, students must learn to think critically about what their using and how they’re using it!

To learn more about Wikipedia watch this video by NCSU Libraries.