Week15-what I learned-QU HONGYU 굴홍우

This semester, I enrolled in two courses about Wikipedia. At first, I was simply curious about online encyclopedias, but as the classes progressed, I gradually realized that Wikipedia is much more than just a tool for looking up information—it’s a vibrant knowledge community that influences my learning methods, thought processes, and even daily life. Through these courses, I not only learned how Wikipedia operates but also gained a deeper appreciation for its role in the information age and how it quietly transformed the way I acquire and share knowledge.  

Early in the course, my impression of Wikipedia was still that of a "website where anyone can edit entries," and I had even kept my distance from it after hearing a teacher say, "Wikipedia isn’t always reliable." However, when I began studying its editing rules and community culture, I discovered that it was far more rigorous than I had imagined. One of Wikipedia’s core principles is the "neutral point of view," meaning editors must avoid personal bias and only present verifiable facts. Additionally, any significant claims must be supported by reliable sources; otherwise, they may be deleted or flagged as "citation needed." These rules made me realize that Wikipedia isn’t a place for randomly compiling information but a carefully moderated knowledge base.  

During the course, we engaged in hands-on editing exercises, which turned me from a passive reader into an active contributor. At first, I worried my edits might be rejected by other editors. But by the end of the semester, I had completed four translation assignments. I followed the guidelines, translated articles accurately, added authoritative sources, and adjusted phrasing—and my translations were approved by Chinese Wikipedia administrators and moved to official entries. This sense of involvement thrilled me—I could actually contribute to a global knowledge repository. This shift from "consuming knowledge" to "producing knowledge" gave me a whole new perspective on online collaboration.  

Beyond editing practice, Wikipedia also changed my research habits. In the past, I might have directly cited Wikipedia in my papers, but now I’ve learned to use it as a starting point rather than the final source. For example, when working on course assignments, I first use Wikipedia to grasp the basic framework of a topic, then follow the references at the bottom to find more specialized materials. This approach not only improved my research efficiency but also trained me to trace information back to its original sources. Wikipedia acts like a knowledge map, helping me quickly navigate toward deeper learning.  

Of course, Wikipedia isn’t perfect. In class discussions, we also examined its limitations, such as edit wars, systemic biases, and potentially unreliable information in certain fields (like contemporary politics or pop culture). Yet these discussions helped me understand that no knowledge system is entirely authoritative—what matters is how we use it with critical thinking. Wikipedia’s transparency is actually its strength: every edit is recorded, and every debate can be seen on the discussion page. This openness taught me to trust yet question, to use information while also considering its origins and motivations.  

In daily life, Wikipedia’s influence is everywhere. For instance, if a friend mentions an obscure historical event, I instinctively open Wikipedia to check the details. Or if I encounter a scientific term in the news, I immediately look up its precise definition. Wikipedia has become my "first stop" for knowledge exploration—it makes accessing information incredibly convenient and has ingrained in me the habit of fact-checking on the spot. More importantly, it made me realize that knowledge isn’t static but a dynamic process built collectively by countless people.  

These courses shifted my attitude toward Wikipedia from "casual use" to "respectful participation." It’s not just one of the greatest knowledge projects of the internet age but also embodies values of collaboration, sharing, and openness. Moving forward, I hope to continue contributing as an editor in areas I’m familiar with, while also encouraging friends to use Wikipedia correctly—neither blindly relying on it nor outright dismissing it, but learning to explore deeper and broader knowledge based on it.  

Looking back, what I gained from these courses wasn’t just skills but a whole new attitude toward knowledge. Wikipedia taught me that in this era of information overload, what matters isn’t just knowing things but also how we obtain, verify, and share knowledge. It made me realize that everyone can be a knowledge contributor—and true wisdom lies in engaging with an open yet rigorous mindset.