User:Andrea Mei Gaoat/Reflective essay

The Wikipedia assignment was a unique experience that challenged me to think critically about the information presented on the platform and how I could contribute to improving the content available to users. One of the most valuable lessons I learned during the article evaluation process was the importance of providing accurate and well-rounded information. The article I selected for this assignment, which focused on the city of Baltimore, was lacking in historical context and specific details about gentrification.

During the critiquing process, I carefully reviewed the existing content of the article and identified areas where more information could be added to enhance its overall quality. I decided to focus on adding more case studies of gentrification in Baltimore, as well as refining the introduction and body of the article to provide a clearer and more comprehensive overview. By making these edits, I felt that I was able to contribute valuable information that would benefit readers seeking to learn more about the topic.

In the peer review process, I provided feedback to my peers on their articles, focusing on providing constructive suggestions for improvement. In return, my peer reviewer recommended using more concise language in my edits and ensuring that different viewpoints were clearly attributed to the groups holding them. This feedback helped guide me towards making more effective contributions to the articles I was working on.

Contributing to Wikipedia taught me the importance of thorough research and clear communication in sharing information with a broad audience. The assignment was unlike any other I had done in the past, as it required me to engage with a real-world platform with the potential to reach a large number of readers. By improving the quality and diversity of content available on Wikipedia, I believe that we can help improve public understanding of important topics and ensure that historically marginalized populations or topics are accurately represented.

One of the challenges I faced while contributing to Wikipedia was addressing major equity gaps and ensuring that underrepresented populations or topics were adequately covered. This required additional research and a deeper understanding of the subject matter in order to provide a comprehensive and balanced perspective on the topic at hand.

Overall, the Wikipedia assignment has greatly impacted my understanding of how information is constructed and shared in today's digital landscape. I now see my role as a contributor to this platform as a meaningful way to educate others and promote diversity in the sources of knowledge available online. Wikipedia has the potential to be a powerful tool for improving public understanding of complex issues, and I believe that by actively participating in editing and contributing to articles, we can work towards creating a more inclusive and informative information landscape for all users.