Wikipedia

Have you ever tried to convince a 12 year old that Wikipedia is not a good source for research?  Take it from me, it's not too easy.  Kid's believe anything that is on the Internet, so telling them that websites like wikipedia, which unfortunately looks a like like an encyclopedia entry, is no easy task.  I mean...really who invented Wikipedia?  Some one who wanted to screw with kids or someone who wanted to screw with teachers?!  If it was to screw with kids, than I am on board, but if it was to screw with teachers, which I am starting to think it might be, than I'm not only not on board, but I am building a gang plank and walking these "creators" off.  Why do I think that the person that created wanted to screw with teachers?  If you would be so kind, I will list:

1.  There is NO REASON to make this look like an encyclopedia.  If you wanted to make it an ACTUAL encyclopedia, than why not make it...hmmm...AN ACTUAL ENCYCLOPEDIA?!!  Don't let people like my students add to entries.  9 times out of 10 they will post something incorrect and 10 times out of 10 they will post something inappropriate. (One of my classes has made an art form of inappropriateness.  It's disturbing, yet I am impressed all at the same time.  I am left feeling very confused by this.  I do not like confusion when it comes to 12 year olds!)

2.  There is NO REASON to let EVERYONE IN THE WORLD ADD TO AN ENTRY!!!!  Let's be honest, 90 percent of the population of the world is not equipped to write research, that's why we don't have a "best seller" section for encyclopedias.

3.  Their disclaimer that sometimes says "warning this page may contain information that is inaccurate".  Um, if you tell my kids the information MAY be incorrect that are going to see that glass as half full and go for it.  "Shark's wear dresses in May? Really?  Oh this MAY be incorrect, eh, I bet it is!"  Yeah, not strong enough Wikipedia!!  This is the strongest evidence that Wikipedia WAS in fact created to drive teachers insane.  MAY be incorrect, give a kid and inch and he will DESTROY A MILE OF HIGHWAY!!  

Then couple that with the fact that you then have to convince a kid that a) even though Wikipedia comes up first in your google search please keep searching and then b) if you do look at Wikipedia you need to research further to make sure the information is in fact correct.  I mean these are the same kids that asked me today during a test if they could chose the questions that they wanted to answer instead of just taking the entire test.  (Here comes my inner voice, "WHAT?!  I would never even think that when I was in school?  WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM!?!!  (laughs hysterically, border-lining on losing it)

So in conclusion, I hate school and I hate all of you!  I'm never coming back to school, NEVER!  

(Useless Wikipedia-like Disclaimer:  If you think I am serious, and you don't know what movie that is from, don't read my blog.)