ERIC Number: EJ1376851
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-8756-7555
EISSN: EISSN-1930-8299
The First Paragraph Is as Good as It Gets: STEM Articles in Wikipedia and Opportunistic Learning
Dunn, Peter K.; Brunton, Elizabeth; Marshman, Margaret; McDougall, Robert; Kent, Damon; Masters, Nicole; McKay, David
College Teaching, v71 n1 p56-65 2023
Despite questions about academic rigor, undergraduates use Wikipedia for opportunistic learning: self-regulated study to learn, relearn, or be introduced to concepts. STEM topics are potentially immune from some of Wikipedia's criticism, as many are based on well-established facts. This article evaluates 28 articles from seven STEM disciplines on four criteria important for undergraduate opportunistic learners. Some articles contained inaccuracies, while common criticisms included poor conceptual development, poor procedural explanations, poor diagrams and failing to utilize internet technologies. Often, the best advice is to read the first paragraph: the rest of the article generally did not enhance opportunistic learning.
Descriptors: STEM Education, Encyclopedias, Collaborative Writing, Electronic Publishing, Undergraduate Study, Accuracy, Evaluation, Metadata
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Information Analyses
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A