Last modified: 2014-03-01 00:14:48 UTC
Reports such as https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:VisualEditor/Feedback&oldid=568123469#I_can.27t_edit_the_references suggest that the references list being present but not editable is causing confusion for editors. It would therefore be helpful for VE to display a message (popup? tooltip?) whne the reference list is selected that explains how to edit references. The text of this message should be set on a MediaWiki namespace page. I don't have a suggested default wording at present.
If implemented, bug 52750 would make this request either unnecessary or applicable only as an interim measure. In the latter case there wouldn't be any need for the message requested here to be editable on-wiki.
This would be most helpful if the backlinks took you to the position of reference while remaining in edit mode. Suggestion for the message from en.wp user Looie496: "This list of references is automatically generated and cannot be edited directly. If you would like to change the content of a reference, click on its number where it appears in the body of the article."
