A WikiExplorers Research Mission:

Below WikiExplorers are learning about AI and Wikipedia; they are using ChatGPT as a research and editing assistant to study an existing Wikipedia article about Johanna Fernández and identify ways to improve it during a meetup at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem. 

A WikiExplorers Research Mission:

Improving the Johanna Fernández Wikipedia Article

A ChatGPT + Wikipedia Learning Adventure at the Schomburg Center

Ages 8–10

Mission Location: Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Harlem

Welcome, WikiExplorers!

Ms. Rivers gathered the young researchers around a table filled with books, notebooks, tablets, and curiosity.

"Today," she said, "you are not just readers of Wikipedia. You are becoming Wikipedia investigators."

The children looked excited.

"A WikiExplorers Research Mission: mission is to explore an existing Wikipedia article about historian Johanna Fernández and discover how we can help make it better."

"Are we going to rewrite it?" asked Malik.

"Not exactly," said Ms. Rivers. "Wikipedia editors do something very important: they research, check facts, and add reliable information that helps everyone learn."

Mission 1: Meet the Article

A WikiExplorers Research Mission:. Rivers projected the Johanna Fernández Wikipedia article.

"Before we change anything, we become detectives."

The WikiExplorers examine:

Who is Johanna Fernández?

What is she known for?

What books has she written?

What historical topics does she study?

What parts of her story are already included?

Mission 2: Ask ChatGPT to Be Our Research Assistant

Ms. Rivers explains:

"ChatGPT is not the author of Wikipedia. It is a helper that can help us think of questions and organize our research."

The WikiExplorers practice asking questions:

Research Questions for ChatGPT:

"Can you summarize this Wikipedia article?"

"What sections are included?"

"What topics about Johanna Fernández might need more research?"

"What information is usually included in a biography of a historian?"

"What reliable sources should we look for?"

"What questions should young researchers ask?"

Mission 3: Find the Missing Pieces

Ms. Rivers draws a puzzle on the board.

"Every Wikipedia article is like a puzzle. Some pieces may already be there. Some pieces may be missing."

The WikiExplorers look for possible puzzle pieces:

Early Life and Education

Her work as a historian

The Young Lords and Puerto Rican history

Her books and publications

Awards and recognition

Interviews and public talks

Why her research matters today

Mission 4: Fact Check Detectives

The children learn the most important Wikipedia rule:

"An interesting idea is not enough. We need evidence."

Ms. Rivers asks:

"Where can we find trustworthy information?"

The children search:

Books

Library resources

Newspapers

University websites

Academic journals

"The information we add to Wikipedia must come from reliable sources," says Ms. Rivers.

Mission 5: Create an Improvement Plan

Each WikiExplorer receives a worksheet.

Article Improvement Ideas:

The article needs more information about:

A source I found:

A question I still have:

A section I would like to improve:

Mission 6: The Editor Circle

The children sit in a circle.

Ms. Rivers asks:

"What did ChatGPT help us do?"

Possible answers:

"It helped us ask better questions."

"It helped us organize ideas."

"It helped us notice missing information."

"It helped us understand the article."

Then Ms. Rivers asks:

"What did humans have to do?"

The children answer:

"We had to research."

"We had to check sources."

"We had to make decisions."

"We had to think."

WikiExplorers Challenge

Before leaving the Schomburg Center:

Find one thing you learned about Johanna Fernández.

Find one thing you think could be added to her Wikipedia article.

Find a reliable source that supports the information.

Use ChatGPT to create better research questions.

Explain why human editors are still important.

The WikiExplorer Code

"I am a researcher.

I ask questions.

I check sources.

I respect knowledge.

I use technology wisely.

I help make information better for everyone."

Final Mission

The WikiExplorers leave the Schomburg Center knowing something important:

Wikipedia is not finished.

Every article is a living project.

With curiosity, reliable sources, teamwork, and thoughtful use of AI tools like ChatGPT, young researchers can help build a better record of history for future generations.

#AlkebulanWikiEdit & Study Group 

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