Blog #3
I view searching on the internet as a fun challenge. I know the information is out there on the internet and the challenge is to figure out a quick, direct path which leads to the desired information. Developing appropriate search terms is the key to success. I know I need to develop relevant search terms so I am not overwhelmed by the huge number of responses. I find I will edit my search terms constantly to obtain a better response to my query. I’ve observed in the library that I will stay with a topic longer than students in the school. They get discouraged quickly and will close down their computers. I like to engage them in a discussion about their searches and use questions to help expand their searching.
In the article, “Information Behavior of the Researcher of the Future,” it reports that 89% of college students from the Google Generation (born after 1993) “prefer a search engine to begin an information search.” When I began working in the school in 2006, I noticed I would start a search with the information from the books in the library. This was a comfortable pattern due to my years of experience using books, encyclopedias, and reference books in the library for term papers and research. I see most students enter the library and immediately go to the internet to begin a search.
As I become more familiar with the internet and the value of “current” information, I became a fan of going to google to find information. Just like the majority of students, I find my typical search pattern is to begin with google and input several search terms. I employ a similar “power browsing” technique of searching “horizonally” through internet sites without employing a deep depth of interest in the many sites that are listed. I can usually locate the needed information from the summary information and quickly access the website and information I desire.
My son has taught me how to expand the information filter bubble with his interest in politics and current news. Each morning he goes online on his cell phone to several credible news sources such as CNN, BBC, or NBC and reads the news of the day. At a young age, he realized the importance of obtaining different viewpoints about the same topic to provide a broad view of a topic.
Isn't that cool how our children teach us new things about technology? I cannot imagine growing up in a time of information overload like this. I actually feel lucky to have grown up before there was internet and cell phones. However I am grateful to have such wonderful things at my fingertips and wouldn't know what to do without it. If not for modern day technology I would not be taking this course right now and working on a masters degree since I live in an area that doesn't offer anything for me in person. I like the idea that your son obtains multiple resources and opinions before coming to his own conclusions. Research on the Internet is so valuable but I do enjoy and still like to use books and encyclopedias for research. That was the thing back in the day to have a set of encyclopedias!
ReplyDeleteYou are definitely right about students going into the library and still using the internet to search for information. I hate that today’s youth feel uncomfortable with using books and encyclopedias, but there definitely is something to having the most up to date and easily accessible information at your fingertips. I can also relate to your comment about students giving up if the information is not found almost instantly. I have served the last couple of years as a mentor to new teachers and one of the most common complaints I get from them is that if they cannot find an answer to a question explicitly stated in text then they will give up and leave the answer blank. As I read about student’s searching habits this week, I couldn’t help but think about that. Also it is awesome that your son is using those news feeds to access information. He sounds like a bright young man.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy doing Google searches as well. Sometimes my students ask how I found a certain topic that they are looking for. The resources that we have been provided have really shed light on ways to search. It seems that you were already using some good searching techniques with the help of your son. We learn so much from children as they are learning from us.
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