Mount Allison anthropology students as Wikipedians
2011-12-12 12:47:23
Want to know something in a hurry? The first place many people look, and students are no exception, is Wikipedia. Mount Allison University anthropology professor Dr. Grant Aylesworth has upended the process. Students in his class, Archaeology of Mesoamerica, have written articles for Wikipedia.
Anthropology student Natasha Bani-Sadr’s article, Frightful Cave, was listed on Wikipedia’s “Did you know?” feature.
“So far, this article has over 4,000 views — a long way from traditional term papers being seen by few and just collecting dust!” said Aylesworth.
Bani-Sadr, from North Vancouver, won a Wikipedia Barnstar, a reward for hard work and due diligence. The articles produced by the class have reached 5,000 page views and counting.
Aylesworth asked the class to choose something that had not been covered by Wikipedia. Students wrote on artifacts, archeological sites, and ancient languages — touched on in their Archeology of Mesoamerica course. According to Aylesworth, the project drew on many different skills, including problem solving, critical thinking, collaboration, and research.
“The first shocking realization students had was, ‘I can’t start with Wikipedia.’ They had to go to books, journal articles, and other web sites.”
First, before the pages went public, they were reviewed in class.
“Students really raised their game and I think it was the realization that many people were going to be reading their work,” said Aylesworth. “I think this pushed students outside their comfort zone and that is when you really start to learn.”
Aylesworth also liked the community outreach aspect of the project as it raises awareness of archaeology. This feeling was shared by students.
“I have enjoyed seeing that so many people can learn something as a result of research I have done,” said Bani-Sadr. “I have had a hand in creating and distributing knowledge.”
The project did have its challenges.
“Posting an article on Wikipedia was something that was completely new to me. It was a lot harder than I expected it to be. Everything has to be in a certain format and it takes a lot of time to get it right,” said anthropology student Trieka Ayer, who wrote an article on architectural features.
“Even so, it is a very rewarding experience as anyone around the world can access it. It made me feel like I was actually contributing to society.”
When it comes to doing more in-depth research, professors have often frowned on Wikipedia, worried about its content. Aylesworth, like many professors, has seen two things — students are citing it in essays, which some professors have forbidden, and the content of Wikipedia has improved.
“Students are going to use Wikipedia, I thought it best to embrace it, use it as a teaching tool, and make it better,” he said.
These anthropology students have become Wikipedians, contributors rather than consumers, and have learned and gained practical publishing experience along the way.
PHOTO CAPTION: Natasha Bani-Sadr (seated) with Dr. Grant Aylesworth and Trieka Ayer (right).
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