Overview
In this multi-lesson unit students will learn more about how WikiPedia works and how WikiPedia can be used effectively as a "LAUNCHPAD" for information validation and research.
Goals
Dispel the common myth that WikiPedia is worthless as an information source and should not be used inside or outside of school
Help students better understand the ways WikiPedia editing and pages work so they can effectively utilize it as an information source
Continue developing student sketchnoting skills
Continue developing student abilities to effectively share ideas with media and hyperlinks on a variety of websites / platforms
Preparation
Complete initial sketchnoting lessons and activities with students
Complete the "Role Model Reflection" activity using a WikiPedia article (we use this as a 5th grade Media Literacy Lesson)
Procedures
Day 1: Understanding WikiPedia Sketchnote
Today we will create and share Sketchnotes about WikiPedia to better understand how it works and how we can use it as a "launchpad" for our curiosity and even research into different topics.
"WikiPedia is a launchpad, not a finish line" when it comes to finding and using information.
STEP 1
Watch the first 13.5 minutes of the video, Using Wikipedia: Crash Course Navigating Digital Information #5.
Create a Sketchnote of your learning points and takeaways.
STEP 2
Turn your Sketchnote in three ways:
Upload in Google Classroom to this assignment.
Post to our Padlet of Sketchnotes (link in Google Classroom)
Post to your WriteAbout.com blog
STEP 3
To get ready for our next activity / lesson, use the "Casady Self-Service" iPad app to install "Loom: Screen Recordings & More."
Sketchnote by Dr. Fryer (shared on Flickr)
Day 2: Just Add WikiPedia Screencast
Today will will:
Learn how to record and share an iPad screencast using Loom it will provide us with a quick link to share)
Learn and practice how to use WikiPedia to check an unfamiliar website source
Preparation
To get ready for this activity / lesson, use the "Casady Self-Service" iPad app to install "Loom: Screen Recordings & More."
STEP 1 - Loom Screencasting
Watch the 3 minute video (starting at 0:43) "Loom Instructions for iPad"
Create a practice screencast (which you will NOT turn in) recording and showing something on your iPad. Play your screencast when finished to CONFIRM you recorded BOTH your screen and your audio.
STEP 2 - Just Add WikiPedia
Many times when someone sends us a link or we find a link online, we encounter unfamiliar sources. WikiPedia can be helpful as a STARTING POINT to learn more about web sources. We can do this by JUST ADDING WIKIPEDIA to a web search for a website / URL, as demonstrated in this video by Mike Caufield.
Watch the 3.5 minute video, "Just Add Wikipedia (Source Verification Omnibar Hack)."
Watch the 2 minute video, "Just Add WikiPedia on an iPad to Check a News Source" (this shows how to do this technique in the Safari for iPad app)
Choose the article link below BASED ON YOUR BIRTH MONTH, and perform a JUST ADD WIKIPEDIA search. See what you can learn about the SOURCE WEBSITE:
January - March: Does Trump Really Have COVID or Just a Nasty Cold? (5 Oct 2020, Global Research: Centre for Research on Globalization)
April - June: Life on Mars: The Health Ranger talks to Mike Bara about the mysteries of the Red Planet (3 Oct 2020, Natural News)
July - Sept: Pope Francis Says The Poor & Weak Should Get Coronavirus Vaccine First (6 Oct 2020, News Punch)
October - December: Dolphin Invents Coronavirus Vaccine! (22 Sept 2020, Weekly World News)
STEP 3 - Create and Share a Screencast Tutorial
Record a LESS THAN 60 SECOND screencast in LOOM, demonstrating and TALKING THROUGH your use of the "Just Add WikiPedia" source checking technique.
Turn your LOOM LINK in via Google Classroom.
Additional Resources
"JustAdd WikiPedia" (a media literacy lesson by Mike Caufield @holden)
Teaching Students How to Use Wikipedia Wisely (EduTopia, Feb 2019)
"Teaching Lateral Reading" by Civic Online Reasoning (via @khokanson)
"Check Please!" starter course by Mike Caufield (via @EduQuinn)