Wikipedia Assignment
For this MCO426 assignment, I had the opportunity to move from being an avid reader of Wikipedia to actually participating in the editing process. The article I chose to work on was the page for Drum Corps International, an organization I am familiar with and have spent much of my life involved with.
When deciding what to edit, I initially struggled to find something substantial that had not already been heavily developed. This made me realize how well thought out many Wikipedia pages already are, especially for well-known organizations. However, I eventually identified a small but meaningful inaccuracy: the number of members listed did not reflect updated information available on a reliable external source.
Before making any edits, I reviewed Wikipedia’s emphasis on verifiability and reliable sourcing. I located a credible source that confirmed the correct number of members is 51, rather than 50, and prepared to include that citation in my edit. While this may seem like a minor change, it reinforced the importance of accuracy on a platform that millions of people rely on for information.
Following the assignment instructions, I first went to the Talk page of the article and posted a message explaining my intended edit. I noted that I am new to Wikipedia editing and wanted to ensure transparency in my contribution. I explained what I planned to change, why it needed to be updated, and included the source I intended to use. This step made the process feel much more collaborative than I expected, as it invites feedback and discussion before changes are made.
After waiting for responses and not receiving any immediate feedback, I proceeded with making the edit. I updated the membership number and added the citation to support the change. Watching the page afterward was particularly interesting, as I became aware that edits can be reviewed, modified, or even reverted by other contributors at any time.
This experience changed my perspective on Wikipedia in several ways. Before this assignment, I viewed Wikipedia primarily as a quick and convenient source of information, but I did not fully appreciate the level of care and collaboration that goes into maintaining it. Even a small edit required attention to detail, proper sourcing, and communication with the community.
Additionally, I gained a greater respect for the people who consistently contribute to Wikipedia. The platform relies on volunteers who are committed to accuracy and transparency, and the Talk page system demonstrates how knowledge is negotiated rather than simply posted.
Overall, this assignment helped me understand that Wikipedia is not just a static source of information, but a constantly evolving, community-driven project. While my contribution was small, it allowed me to participate in that process and better appreciate the effort behind the content I often take for granted.
Talk post:
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Hailey's Blog 