Wikipedia can be a good resource for students if they become successful to use it wisely. Basically, it is the teacher’s responsibility to encourage students to use Wikipedia for the theory and facts collection in order to make their assignments of good quality.
However, many believe that Wikipedia is an open-source platform on which anyone can post and edit existing content. But after years of research, it has been stated by most intellectuals that Wikipedia is the best and the most authentic source of gaining information and it is good to use Wikipedia for research purposes.
The stats below are taken from Statista that show Worldwide visits to Wikipedia.org from September 2021 to February 2022
Wikipedia Page Creators who create a page for themselves and for others have to go through the tough criteria of Wikipedia in order to create a page on Wikipedia and post something. Wikipedia does not accept such content that does not shows any legality and authenticity. This is why it can be marked on the top of the list of authentic and credible sources that are available online.
Let’s have a look at a few most important and valid reasons that shows the need of Wikipedia in today’s student life.
Best place to take a start
Wikipedia is the foremost and a good place to kick-start the research process. Students can get an overview and in-depth insights on Wikipedia about any topic from basic to advance levels it covers almost all the aspects of the topic. A student gets all the required insight related to the topic in one place.
Provides authentic facts
Wikipedia is an encyclopedia that contains authentic facts. The reason why Wikipedia encourages its writers and editors to add citations is to link the facts and stats to the source from where it’s taken. A reader can directly check the source of facts and stats by just clicking on the link. It develops a sense of trust among the readers and researchers over Wikipedia. Also helps to build its credibility even more. As far as the benefit for students is concerned, they can get all the useful facts and stats almost on each and every subject and course relating to their education.
Provide additional sources
The best part of gathering information from Wikipedia is, that it opens the doors to explore additional sources too. Students can redirect to the other extra links that have been used for citations and references. It will redirect them to a new world of information. Furthermore, teachers can even motivate students to edit the existing Wikipedia articles with citations so that they will become capable of writing too and will learn how to make an online writing piece authentic by adding references and citations.
Best place to read about the history
Wikipedia can provide complete historical insights no matter which civilization, business, or person you want to learn about to get in-depth authentic knowledge for the research purpose. With the help of Wikipedia historical insights, students become self-explorers and start self-learning because whenever they want to conduct in-depth research, especially about any place then they like to visit the site if it’s possible. For this purpose, they need all the authentic and factual history that they can easily get from Wikipedia.
Helps to become a pro writer
Wikipedia is the platform that can help in making a difference if anyone wants to make some. Students can create their own write-ups on Wikipedia just by making a page and can get feedback from professional Wikipedia writers and editors. By doing this they will become self-efficient by doing more and more practice. BY doing this they can become a professional writer even before jumping into the full professional life.
In a Nutshell
Wikipedia is the most authentic and credible source to gain information as well as to enhance reading and writing skills for students. It helps them in making a difference if anyone wants to make some. Students can redirect to the other extra links that have been used for citations and references.
It will redirect them to a new river of useful insights and they will get more exposure. Furthermore, students can get all the useful facts and stats almost on each and every subject and course relating to their education.