Wikipedia stirs up debate

Saw this article in the Seattle Times and since I previously praised the wiki, thought I'd comment on it. While many educators (as I noted in this 10/17 blog) have warmed to using wikis as a helpful online tool, it seems a few really dislike the wiki king that started it all—Wikipedia.

According to the Times, some teachers have become so incensed by student use of incorrect Wikipedia information, they now urge students to "Just Say No" to this popular online resource. Now, Wikipedia itself does not recommend using the website as a primary research source. But the problem is, kids might not know that.

So while Wikipedia is a powerful tool for understanding the most diverse and divergent topics our modern world has to offer, I agree that students do need to be trained to use it responsibly as a quick overview of a subject—similar to Cliffs Notes—and not a primary source to cite in research reports.

But what do you think? Should there be a place for Wikipedia in high school classrooms?