I have found that Wikipedia entries are good starting points for conducting research on emerging trends. For example, I am currently writing a paper on the emerging trends to use mobile devices (PDAs, smartphones, tablet computers, MP3 players) and wireless networks to support learning in workplace and educational settings. I have found Wikipedia entries to be an invaluable resource in assisting me with pulling together the evolutionary processes associated with the emergence of the various mobile devices and associated practices. My approach in using this source of information in support of research is to triangulate available information to other sources, those that skeptics would consider as being reputable publications (newspapers, trade publications, academic journals, books). I also encourage students to use this same approach when considering using a Wikipedia entry as reliable source of information. I co-teach an on campus course where students do collaborative learning activities each week to construct knowledge about a given topic. At the completion of the activity, I ask students to report out to others, in a large group setting, key insights gained from the interaction. I might have them share information orally or in writing, using the blackboards or whiteboards in a room or easel-size Post-It notes and colored markers. This activity could easily turn into one where students could create new or build upon existing Wikipedia entries. I would use this approach in teaching this group of students but have limitations with regard to access to computer and Internet resources that are necessary to support the integration of this activity into a face-to-face classroom setting. I could modify the approach so tasks would be completed as t ake-home assignments but this goes against personal teaching values. I teach students from the constructivist perspective and place high value on students constructing knowledge in collaboration with others, with guidance from me as opposed to the other way around. -- Gail ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Gail Taylor, M.Ed. Human Resource Education Ph.D. Student Educational Psychology Teaching Assistant University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign