Teaching Information Sourcing While Addressing Wikipedia's Gender Gap

• In Event: 61.071 - Sheraton Roundtable Session 10 - Grand Centre
  In Roundtable Session: 61.071-3 - Gendered Perspectives on Faculty

Abstract

Digital media literacy requires students to develop fact-checking and information-sourcing skills. Prior work suggests that editing Wikipedia is an effective means of teaching students how to identify reputable sources and verify information, yet undergraduates are typically discouraged from using Wikipedia due to negative perceptions of its content. The current study engaged Introductory Psychology students (N=30) in writing new Wikipedia biographies as part of WikiProject: PSYCH+Feminism, aimed at countering gender bias in Wikipedia’s coverage of psychological science. Students reported that Wikipedia editing improved their skills in locating primary and secondary sources. After contributing new articles, students expressed more positive attitudes towards Wikipedia and indicated their appreciation of its sourcing requirements and the role of outside editors in vetting content.

Authors

• Elizabeth Shiu Che, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York

• Patricia J. Brooks, City College of New York - CUNY