How often do you use online resources for your research paper? Do you think Wikipedia is good for adding your information? What if the use of Wikipedia were banned? Wikipedia is a popular online encyclopedia and frequently used academic study, research, business, and other purposes. There is various information in the Wikipedia that was edited by lots of writers and it will help us to collect the information in a convenient and opened way. Especially it is very helpful for students' writing paper. However, Meredith Byers said, "Middlebury College, a prestigious liberal arts school in Vermont, recently announced that its history department had banned the citation of Wikipedia for history papers and exams" (2007, para.2). So, it is a matter of disputation whether students should be supported in the use us Wikipedia. Wikipedia likes an essence and rigorous information resource for students and other people. I believe that the advantages of using of Wikipedia surpass completely the disadvantages.
People claim that the contents of Wikipedia are not always the right information, because they are easy and free to be edited by anyone. However, most of data and facts are exact information, and nobody will change them except for editing as different ways. David Parry said, "This website has grown into an immensely useful resource for background information on a wide range of scientific subjects, and can serve as a quick reference for any number of scientific facts" (2008, para.8). The particular information, such as definitions and history background, are precise truth, which are determined by lots of senior scholars and peer reviewed after researching for a long time. They are not necessary to be added or altered by anyone. Moreover, I don't believe that some boring and bothersome people will interpolate the facts. In addition, when we work on our paper, Wikipedia helps us to improve effective on saving time.
Opponents of supporting its use the say that the contents of Wikipedia are not as authoritative as the materials in library, because this website has been given too much outside academic information. Nevertheless, it doesn’t make sense. Most writers and editors dare to post their articles and personal ideas depending on the academic knowledge they have acquired from school years. The knowledge from school absolutely must be authoritative. For this reason, it is farfetched and illogical to say that Wikipedia is not authoritative.
Academics who ban the students’ using Wikipedia state argue that this online encyclopedia is unsafe and uncertain; they are easy to be changed and removed without author’s permission. I agree that it is out of rule to change others’ articles. But Wikipedia has become a convenient and necessary tool to gather yet the newest information. Literacy in nowadays should be opened for everyone in order to get development and improvement. According David Parry’s article, “Wikipedia and the new curriculum,” “ Literacy in modern society means not only being able to read a variety of informational formats; it means being able to participate in their creation, with Wikipedia serving as the marquee example” (2008, para.9). From sharing and achieving, the writers and editors get benefits mostly.
In conclusion, Wikipedia is a perfect online encyclopedia for everybody. It is attractive by its freedom and openness. Wikipedia’s prevalence surpassed rapidly any other academic sources (Wolverton, 2007). For students, it is the ideal way to deal with their papers, and help extant their knowledge. It is beneficial and effective for students. So, the ban of students using the Wikipedia is absolutely wrong decision. They should be encouraged to use this website efficiently.
Reference:
Byers, M. (2007, March 8). Controversy over use of Wikipedia in academic papers arrives at Smith. Sophian. Smith College. Retrieved June 5, 2009, from http://tinyurl.com/2dyt65
Parry, D. (2008, February 11). Wikipedia and the new curriculum. Science progress. Retrieved June 5, 2009, from http://www.scienceprogress.org/2008/02/wikipedia-and-the-new-curriculum/
Wolverton, J. (2007, January 22). Wikipedia wisdom. Valley Vanguard. Retrieved June 5, 2009, from http://www.svsu.edu/clubs/vanguard/stories/1141
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