If my instructor asks me to edit a Wikipedia page, I would instantly be quite nervous and scared. I know that many people are aware that Wikipedia may contain many unreliable sources because anyone can easily edit information on Wikipedia. However I also know that Wikipedia can be actually quite a reliable source because information being edited is monitored. From my last semester Communications study GSI, I heard that most of the false information on Wikipedia is actually corrected within the next 24 hours on average. More importantly, large number of people online uses and trusts information on Wikipedia. Therefore, due to my lack of expert knowledge on any field, as an undergraduate student, I would definitely be worried about unintentionally providing incorrect information.
However, if I had to choose a page to edit, it would certainly be about something that I have reasonably in-depth knowledge about so that I will not be worried about posting inaccurate information. The information I provide would likely come from first-hand experiences, which I can be confident about its truthfulness. At the same time, I would have to be careful not to be too subjective or biased. Therefore, rather than attempting to edit pages that require professional, scientific knowledge or accurate statistics, I could possibly edit the page called “Playing the violin.” Even though this page gives quite lengthy information on how to play violin, from posture to specific techniques such as vibrato and harmonics, I know from my nine-year experience that much more delicacy is needed in order to play violin well and express emotions through playing. Therefore, I could add information such as “controlling finger and arm strengths” or give tips to practicing and mastering certain skills.
I think it is very cool that you would edit the page about playing the violin. If you have 9 years of experience under your belt, it is apparent that you are very familiar with the instrument and how it is played. When I first thought of what page I would edit, things crossed my mind that I was interested in, like playing badminton or table tennis, but I frankly don't have enough experience to contribute much to either of those topics. It's good that you read the article and were looking to correct information, but rather to add information.
ReplyDeleteI understand the nervousness that comes with editing a wiki page, because theres always the issue of whether the information offered is false or not. But I think that your opinion that wikipedia being a reliable source is maybe too trustworthy of an ideal informational source. Even with moderators, the monitoring of all of wikipedia is impossible, and being an entirely anonymously contributed information source, the information provided is not always true.
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