Comments on: Parents blame kids’ failing test scores on Wikipedia

By: kaytlyn

kaytlyn — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 00:43:43 +0000

i think its not anyones problem people need to realize kids do try to please their parents but they cant please them if their parents wont give them their space for awhile to catch on on what they want to do i dont understand why parents say their kids stress them out and really its not its because of their job or money issues but still they just wanna blame kids for their problems

By: Ash Frog

Ash Frog — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 08:11:58 +0000

“Parents should take this opportunity to teach the children discrimination in choosing sources while using content from various internet resources.”

Do you think the parents complaining about this teach their kids anything? They can’t even get them to pass their classes what chance do they have of taking “this opportunity to teach the children discrimination in choosing sources while using content from various internet resources”?

You’re right though, there are two viewpoints to be considered: The viewpoints of the ignorant parents who are in denial and the viewpoints of people who aren’t stupid enough to blame a valuable source of information for their kids’ stupidity.

By: Gaz

Gaz — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 11:00:00 +0000

Obviously Wikipedia needs to be taken as any other reference material; you need to be aware of the credibility and therefore realise that Wikipedia is not meant for an academic resource beyond a starting point. It’s hard to blame Wikipedia when the people using it should be aware of the reliability of opinion over fact.

By: SRINI

SRINI — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 19:20:30 +0000

Between the two viewpoints lies the need for some thinking on both sides – Wikipedia and the parents.

Wikipedia does caution about the articles by caution notes such as this:
“This article does not cite any references or sources.
Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.”

If these caveats are redesigned to be more prominent (say use a different color) it could perhaps help in sifting the articles into error free and otherwise.

Also those who contribute content, a laudable effort, may show more responsibility and quote verifiable sources.

Parents should take this opportunity to teach the children discrimination in choosing sources while using content from various internet resources.

By: whiskey

whiskey — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 03:32:40 +0000

So, it’s not because kids aren’t properly edumacated… It’s teh Internetz fault!

By: Link

Link — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 01:54:27 +0000

apparently parents need to blame on something other than themselves or the child so why not Wikipedia

By: Chuck

Chuck — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:26:49 +0000

Universities are a bastion of free though and thinking…as long as it is approved by the Central Commitee

By: DJRmd

DJRmd — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 05:52:14 +0000

Blaming a website, that should only be used to gain general knowledge of a subject, for the downfall of students’ education is completely absurd.

By: Luna Santin

Luna Santin — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 01:59:21 +0000

If anything, this is another wonderful opportunity for schools to teach their students about the need to read and think critically. Speaking as an active Wikipedian, myself, I’m more or less horrified by people who aim to use us for serious scholarly referencing. We’re far more useful as an introductory read, to get basically grounded on a subject before looking into more serious, in-depth research.

Appreciate the post. Thanks.

By: Khendar

Khendar — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 01:05:13 +0000

My university docks marks if you quote or reference Wikipedia. The nice thing about it is that it usually presents the “facts” in a general and easy to read manner, but provides references for more in depth study. Wikipedia should be an aid to study, but not used as a study resource exclusively. That’s what peer reviewed journals and books are for. In my high school days there was a similar problem with Encarta.