The discussion on whether or not instructors should allow the use of Wikipedia as an online source in researching topics has been an ongoing topic for several years. Now a Library Director puts forth her ideas of how using Wikipedia can actually strengthen a students research skills.
"I am a student at AIU and I personally feel research for students is vitally important. However the use of Wikipedia isn't always a good source to use but I think it would at the same time be challenging to see students gather factual information and compare it to Wikipedia to see if the proven facts match. I believe each and every student should strive for proper research when it comes to achieving the work being done that's required. I'm not sure if I can personally say that Wikipedia should be used or not but after so much research and reading on any one single topic if you use Wikipedia as a last resort you can pretty much tell whether the information there is corresponding to what you've already read at the more credible source such as the library or other places. Just like any other encyclopedia Wikipedia isn't going to go away, so perhaps in the future it could be considered to be used as an educational opportunity. A good question to ask here would be Is Wikipedia becoming a Respectable Academic Resource? Or will it always continue to be debatable and banned from being used as an Academic Resource? Time will tell!"
Several of the national technology conferences have seen an increase in educators wanting to be able to prepare online courses. Many school districts are trying to offer online courses to expand their offerings and to provide access to homebound students. Unfortunately the districts seem to be expecting class room teachers or school technology teacher to develop these classes. The result has been an influx of substandard or inadequate online classes.
"Hello, I'm currently enrolled with AIU as a student who is taking classes in order to receive my Associates in Business Administration. I've had a very hard time here lately trying to decide if I want to come back to AIU for my BA in Criminal Justice or if I want to pursue my BA at a different college for Psychology. I'll have to agree with this post. I can only imagine how must time, effort, and hard work it would be to develop online courses. I do wish AIU would offer a Psychology Degree of some sort, but at the same time, I realize how difficult it must be just getting the entire online college courses in order that are already available. This is a great post, one that all students should read."
