After all, isn't this what 'teaching' is all about? Sharing wisdom with students? Showing them what you/we know so they can build on, and improve, prior knowledge?
One teacher in a single-room school house with no books or supplies has a legitimate limitation when it comes to resources, but today's classrooms have no such excuse. Information is everywhere, and the devices to access it are all over the place (even in students pockets!).
So why do we argue over the accuracy and legitimacy of Wikipedia? If a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step, then isn't the Wikipedia debate just like arguing over which foot we should step with first?
Honestly, does it matter? Are students going to find false information? Are teachers going to teach with inaccurate data? Hasn't the mighty Encyclopedia Brittanica printed unreliable information before?
So what! Isn't trial and error part of the learning process? Isn't that what the Scientific Method allows for? Creating a hypothesis, testing its accuracy, and then trying something different if it doesn't work out the way we thought the first time?
Learning is about discovery. It isn't about discovering the right answer. It's about connections. Connecting people, the environment, ideas, thoughts, passions, excitement, engagement, joy, enthusiasm, presentation, spontaneity, wonder, amazement, trial, error, and a host of other emotions and actions.
Learning is not about politics and deciding who's right and who's wrong. Learning is about dialogue and discussion. It's about you thinking one way and me thinking another, and deciding what to do about it. The most important part is the DOING!
Let's put aside the differences in opinion on Wikipedia, and just give it a try. It may just open your eyes and mind to a new way of learning. After all, if you don't like what Wikipedia says, you can CHANGE it!
For a simpler version of Wikipedia when using it with students, consider the Simple English version.