Hi John,

On Wed 2037-Apr-08 07:38, JOHN FITZGERALD (1:123/140) wrote to RICHARD WEBB:

RW>   I know a couple of educators, or three .  NOne of them
RW>   will accept wiki as a reference on any papers turned in by
RW>   students.  THis is for both college level and high school.
RW>   they do not consider wiki valid as its so-called facts are
RW>   not vetted before being published.

JF>    I wouldn't knock Wiki' too much, they are certainly more credible
JF> than a lot of sources that don't require citations, and references
JF> and verification.  Almost every Wiki' article I've read has an array
JF> of references and external links to check on.  Also, if a particular
JF> topic is deemed 'not neutral', they say so up front, unlike any
JF> newspaper or encyclopedia I have ever seen. Even sources that are
JF> thought to be specialized often have little to nothing in the way of
JF> verification.  You have to go hunting on your own, no links and
JF> ready references. Rarely a discussion or blog.
JF>     And for most of Wiki's disputed/controversial articles they have
JF> a discussion page where differences of opinion and views can be
JF> compared,  by anyone.    I don't hold Wiki' up as gospel, certainly
JF> no one source  can be, but has anyone  got a major source of info
JF> that's better  than Wiki'?  Anyone?  


WAs just talking with one of those educators I referenced
this past weekend.  HE might agree with you on some of this, but his main
problem was that students were referencing wiki and then failing to check
other sources, such as the
university library.

JF>   And I know how many of today's professors go.  If they are telling
JF> their students where NOT to get information they are definitely the
JF> neocommie 'Ward churchill' type who just have a general contempt for
JF> people in general.  They will dump on and demonize anything that
JF> doesn't tow  their particular party line.   Since Wiki' neither
JF> favors the right or  left, (and I've seen plenty of Wiki' accounts
JF> on many different  politicians, right, left, or milk toast) any
JF> 'educator' who singles out one source, Wiki' in this case, is
JF> leftist by nature.    Evidently they don't think Wiki' is leftist
JF> enough.

My friend's problem is students not referencing others as
well.  Back in the days I was spending a lot of time in
academia it was at least three references on many things
.


Regards,
           Richard
--- timEd 1.10.y2k+