Using Wikipedia for project-based learning in information literacy instruction

Shonn M Haren,Paul Hottinger,Sally Romero,Erika Dejonghe

doi:10.33011/newlibs/9/13

Shonn M Haren, Paul Hottinger + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.33011/newlibs/9/13

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Abstract

Wikipedia holds an ambiguous position in information literacy instruction. Long the go-to example of an untrustworthy online source to avoid, librarians are increasingly using it to illustrate the application of a variety of information literacy concepts. Beginning in Fall 2017, students enrolled in a credit-bearing information literacy course at Cal Poly Pomona were given as a final project, a Wikipedia stub (a basic, incomplete article) and assigned to apply the concepts they had been taught throughout the semester to add information, sources and images, in order to “improve” it. This paper discusses the incorporation of Wikipedia into a credit-bearing course as a form of project-based learning, the development of the course final over several quarters/semesters of class, the benefits and drawbacks of the use of online tutorials and observation of the results of student engagement with the assignment.

Highlights

During the summer of 2017, the librarians at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, (Cal Poly Pomona) engaged in a joint project to revise and update their credit-bearing information literacy course, LIB 1500 Information Literacy for the Digital Age
The use of a Wikipedia-centered assignment for the purpose of information literacy instruction provides students and instructors alike with an excellent opportunity to experiment with project-based learning
After considering a variety of options, members of the committee decided that the editing of a Wikipedia stub would be the ideal final project for the course, as this project would weave the concepts of the ACRL framework, having students find sources of information from various subject expertise and participating as a contributor (Libraries, 2016)

Summary

Introduction

During the summer of 2017, the librarians at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, (Cal Poly Pomona) engaged in a joint project to revise and update their credit-bearing information literacy course, LIB 1500 Information Literacy for the Digital Age. The library faculty agreed to develop a new final project, assigning students a Wikipedia “stub” (very brief or incomplete article) to expand and improve, using the information literacy skills and concepts they had been taught throughout the class. This article lays out our two-year journey working with Wikipedia as a project-based learning assignment in our Information Literacy classroom.

Results

Conclusion