ERIC Number: EJ1394767
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023-Oct
Pages: 50
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1360-2357
EISSN: EISSN-1573-7608
Investigating the Potential of the Semantic Web for Education: Exploring Wikidata as a Learning Platform
Evenstein Sigalov, Shani; Nachmias, Rafi
Education and Information Technologies, v28 n10 p12565-12614 Oct 2023
Wikidata is a free, multilingual, open knowledge-base that stores structured, linked data. It has grown rapidly and as of December 2022 contains over 100 million items and millions of statements, making it the largest semantic knowledge-base in existence. Changing the interaction between people and knowledge, Wikidata offers various learning opportunities, leading to new applications in sciences, technology and cultures. These learning opportunities stem in part from the ability to query this data and ask questions that were difficult to answer in the past. They also stem from the ability to visualize query results, for example on a timeline or a map, which, in turn, helps users make sense of the data and draw additional insights from it. Research on the semantic web as learning platform and on Wikidata in the context of education is almost non-existent, and we are just beginning to understand how to utilize it for educational purposes. This research investigates the Semantic Web as a learning platform, focusing on Wikidata as a prime example. To that end, a methodology of multiple case studies was adopted, demonstrating Wikidata uses by early adopters. Seven semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted, out of which 10 distinct projects were extracted. A thematic analysis approach was deployed, revealing eight main uses, as well as benefits and challenges to engaging with the platform. The results shed light on Wikidata's potential as a lifelong learning process, enabling opportunities for improved Data Literacy and a worldwide social impact.
Descriptors: Collaborative Writing, Electronic Publishing, Data, Data Use, Educational Research, Internet
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A