Writing for the greater good: what do educators think about using Wikipedia as a teaching tool?

Abstract

This research presents the results of a questionnaire survey (N = 222) exploring teachers' experiences with using Wikipedia as a teaching tool, mostly in higher education, across various global contexts. The sample comprised educators from diverse regions, with a focus on those actively integrating Wikipedia and additional Wikimedia projects such as Wikidata, into their curricula. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative analysis of structured questions with qualitative thematic analysis of open-ended responses. The findings reveal no significant gender or age biases among educators using Wikipedia; however, there is evidence of a global digital divide, with greater adoption observed in English-speaking countries. Most instructors reported assigning students to write or improve Wikipedia articles, typically accounting for about a quarter of the final course grade. Educators frequently utilized support tools and resources developed by the Wikimedia Community. Overall, participants reported positive teaching experiences, often linked to increased student and instructor motivation, as well as the achievement of multiple learning objectives related to academic and digital literacies. Nonetheless, the assignment was noted to be time-consuming. The study also found that Wikipedia assignments were well-suited for the transition from traditional to distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.