CZ:Eduzendium Testimonials

CZ:Biol 201: General Microbiology

Instead of having my students write a lab report, which would be discarded after the semester's end, I decided to have my students create a citizendium page for a microbe of their choice.

The experiment was successful. 90% of my students contributed considerable original content. Most students were enthusiastic participants, and those who weren't enthusiastic were mostly discouraged by the learning curve involved in creating content. I think these people may have not had much familiarity with computers, thus the assignment may have been intimidating for them. However, this is all the greater reason why I felt this assignment was important. Familiarity with computers is probably critical for many careers and it is important for students to gain experience in college and elsewhere.

I had underestimated the amount of work it would be. In retrospect, I should have devoted more time to the exercise, for both the students and myself. Once consequence is that I have not had much opportunity to fact check their work, but hopefully this will resolve itself as future authors edit the work.

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--John J. Dennehy 16:21, 19 May 2008 (CDT)