Engaging with the World: Students of Comparative Law Write for Wikipedia

16 Pages Posted: 15 Dec 2010 Last revised: 16 Dec 2012

See all articles by Normann Witzleb

Normann Witzleb

Monash University - Faculty of Law; The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Date Written: March 14, 2009

Abstract

Improving students' computer literacy, instilling a critical approach to Internet resources and preparing them for collaborative work are important educational aims today. This article examines how a writing exercise in the style of a Wikipedia article can be used to develop these skills. Students in an elective unit in Comparative Law were asked to create, and review, a Wikipedia entry on an issue, concept or scholar in this field. This article describes the rationale for adopting this writing task, how it was integrated into the teaching and assessment structure of the unit, and how students responded to the exercise. In addition to critically evaluating the potential of this novel teaching tool, the article aims to provide some practical guidance on when Wikipedia assignments might be usefully employed.

Keywords: Wikipedia, Comparative Law, Collaboration, Critical thinking, Legal Education, Education, Writing, Teaching, Evaluation

JEL Classification: I20, I21, I29, K49

Suggested Citation

Witzleb, Normann and Witzleb, Normann, Engaging with the World: Students of Comparative Law Write for Wikipedia (March 14, 2009). Legal Education Review, Vol. 1, No. 83, 2009, Monash University Faculty of Law Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2010/19, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1725107

Normann Witzleb (Contact Author)

The Chinese University of Hong Kong ( email )

6/F, Lee Shau Kee Building
Shatin, New Territories
Kowloon, Sha Tin
Hong Kong

Monash University - Faculty of Law ( email )

Wellington Road
Clayton, Victoria 3800
Australia

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