Ginny Barnes - Yes or No Credibility: Nuanced Discussions of Wikipedia in Higher Ed - LiliCon 2026

Wikipedia may be the most common way students authentically engage in research outside of the classroom, yet it is often the first information source to be discredited by instructors. This presentation will provide a librarian’s perspective on teaching information literacy with Wikipedia to discuss students’ understanding of credibility and constructions of authority. It will conclude with an example assignment that uses Wikipedia to provide students with an opportunity to learn about the research process; create a research product with high impact and visibility; and address gaps in representation of marginalized and oppressed groups