Lib. #204, Blog # 3

WikiWhat?

Ok, so I've learned how not to be so quick to look information up just by paying a visit to wikipedia, but has anyone else? Yes, but perhaps not our younger batch of students. Is this a "bad" habit? According to some that answer would be yes. According to me, well I think it is more of a learned habit. What? Well, I think that we (students, non-student, people with computer access in general) want quick solutions. So, I think that we have all just learned to do easy keyword search engine searches, all the while, disregarding that some of these quick & easy answers may be inaccurate.

So, what are my solutions...hold on, let me Google one...JUST KIDDING! :)

Well, since I believe that the quick and easy approach to solutions/answers is learned, I guess it can be un-learned. How? Well, I think that will have to be done in parts. I think younger generations will have even more access to the www and that parents and teachers will have to educate them on the importance of accuracy. Teachers can suggest possible alternatives for research assignments, such as using a library catalog to retrieve information.

Perhaps for libraries, free courses on the dangers of false information may seem to be a good fix. I know a lot of library personnel that would disagree (or just not want to have to teach on the subject), but if we want the general public to utilize our resources, I think it would be a good idea. After all, most public libraries offer basic introductory computer classes for free. Why not have intermediate or even advanced levels for researching?

Otherwise, we are stuck with quick fixes and false information.