These observations lead me to a realization about myself as a searcher; this member of generation x has slowly evolved into one of the Google Generation. I employ many of the same behaviors as my students when beginning to research anything- even when I resort to looking it up the old fashioned way and even then in a virtual library resource. I am even willing to admit that yes, I do browse and skim Wikipedia first before consulting other sources. I have unknowingly created my own "filter bubble" just as they have. One difference is that I do know that I need to check a reputable source afterwards, but I still start with the same methods that my students do. How do I avoid having an algorithm filter my results for me or for my students for that matter? We need to think about how we search for information. Apply the principals of meta-cognition to our browsing and searching and gathering of information. -Something librarians did for me when I was in school. Sometimes I wonder if any of my students think about their approach to searching for information at all. Could they make an info graphic of their own search pattern? Do they employ different patterns for different inquiries or always the same? These are issues we should ponder in these times when we are all bombarded with information. Having immediate and abundant access does not improve their information literacy.
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Reflective Searching
As an educator, I have constantly monitored the search habits of my students and tried to help them navigate the onslaught and availability of information since the early nineties when I first stepped into the classroom as a teacher. I have witnessed first hand their reliance on the Google search browser and their eventual abandonment of the school librarian as a helper and navigator of information for research. Students would rather hit the search icon on a web browser than even sort through suggested search engines and databases on our school media center website. The word "research" for students today does not even conjure the thought of a physical library. And why would it? Instant information is available to them on their cell phones. This information is abundant, everywhere, and easy. I find myself sending them back to square one and forcing them to slow down and take the time to evaluate the information they find. I see the behaviors mentioned in several readings from this week- skimming information without considering its depth and breath, power browsing, and (a term new to me) squirreling away information by saving it or printing it for later. Students do not spend much time at all reading the content they find online. I would say they spend most of their time, as the articles, suggest navigating around and searching. Even though contained in a source right in front of them, they claim they cannot find the information they need because they have skimmed rather than thoroughly read the sources they find.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Cindy, I agree with you. I think students just jump right in and start searching. They do not take the time to sit and think about what they are actually searching. Our science teacher takes the sixth graders to the public library to tour and learn about where to get information for the science fair research papers. Most of the students have never been to the library and were at awe with the library will never go back. They say it takes to much time to find a book and then find the information they need. Instant gratification is what they want and expect in everything they do.
ReplyDeleteCindy I enjoyed reading your post. I rely on Wikipedia for a lot of information as well. I come to find out a lot of things on Wikipedia may not be correct information. One of the readings this week stated many students use Google and Wikipedia as resources when doing research. I am guilty as well.
ReplyDeleteI teach 2nd grade therefore my students do not do a lot of researching on the internet. Last year, I tutored a group of fifth grade students. I noticed Google really does impact the way students think. We incorporated math into a project based learning activity and the students had to use the internet to gather information. I noticed they would “Google” for the right answer on very thing. Google really crippled their critical thinking. I explained to them that Google is a great source to use, but do not let this be your stopping point for gather information. I think they always inquire information the same. They feel like the answers in always within reach when it really is not. As the article stated this cause an illusion. Teachers need to consider this: If we are giving students questions they can Google and answers the questions are not very good ones.
How Google Impacts The Way Students Think. (2014, November 12). Retrieved March 23, 2015, from http://www.teachthought.com/learning/how-google-impacts-the-way-students-think/