I learned a great deal from this assignment about Wikipedia. I did not realize how much
information is available. It truly is an online encyclopedia.
Initially, I faced challenges identifying a topic where I could contribute reliable and
relevant information. As someone who is hearing impaired, I recently discussed
“hearing exhaustion” with a Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) teacher. I was excited that
someone understood my struggles. However, upon searching, I discovered that this
topic did not exist on Wikipedia. Our assignment was to edit a topic, not start a topic so I
had to look for another topic.
My next topic choice was about puppies, specifically the delivery of puppies since my
dog recently had puppies. Once again, I had difficulty locating the topic on Wikipedia.
Finally, I selected a topic about a specific breed of dog, Portuguese Water Dog. I own
two Portuguese Water Dogs, also referred to as Porties and PWD. I thought I could add
some relevant information. PWD have unique grooming styles. There are two styles; the
Lion Cut and the Retriever Cut. Wikipedia has descriptions of both grooming styles but
does not have any photographs of the two grooming styles. I attempted to look for stock
photos without copyrights. Unfortunately, I was not successful. Then I found a
photograph of one of my dogs getting groomed with the Lion Cut. I unsuccessfully tried
to upload a photograph of my dog. After a few attempts, I decided to try another edit.
I accessed the American Kennel Club (AKC)website and located detailed grooming
information for Portuguese Water Dogs. I was able to update the information on
Wikipedia and provide the AKC as a reliable source. The process was not very difficult,
and I felt a sense of accomplishment in updating the online information. My edit looks
professional and provides accurate and helpful information.
When I originally learned about Wikipedia in school, I was instructed to never use it as a
source of information. Learning more about Wikipedia and how it has developed, I have
found Wikipedia very useful. While many people frown on citing Wikipedia, many if not
all edits on Wikipedia have sources. These sources can be accessed directly from
Wikipedia.
Currently, my edit has not received any comments. I plan to monitor the page to
observe any feedback or further modifications. This experience has not only deepened
my appreciation for Wikipedia’s collaborative nature but also highlighted the importance
of contributing responsibly to such a widely used platform.