Reflective Searching

The primary technique for gathering information has changed throughout my life. I am apart of generation Y also known as the millennials. Growing up I had a computer in my home, however my sole purpose of our desktop was entertainment. It was extremely difficult to dial-up the internet, and keep a good connection. During this time I would visit the local library if I needed to conduct any research. At the library I used encyclopedias, atlas', novels, magazines, biographies, and other informative books to complete research. Between 2001-2003(I can't remember which year), we obtained internet. This was a major breakthrough in my educational career. No longer was it a necessity to walk or hitch a ride to the library. I recall using ask jeeves and yahoo as my main search engines, oh how things have changed.

Different levels in my educational career have drove me to elevating my means to search for information. Similar to many of the students today, I would use google or other search engines for research. Once I started my undergrad program, I was introduced to Galileo. Although I find search engines to be convenient and accurate, my Galileo searches produce scholarly results. It is very important that I have ample time to conduct my research, if not I tend to choose the first source of information that I come across (very terrible). The internet has a plethora of information and myself along with others do ourselves a disservice when we don't use many sources.

With technology being so widely utilized, I believe we are all apart of the Google Generation. My school is moving to personalized learning devices next school year. With this transition students will be using technology for the main source of entertainment, communication, and education. As an educator and online student I am using my laptop, ipad, and iphone 8+ hours everyday! I can be at a family function, and still feel the need to use my cell phone to complete research, a quiz, or a discussion for school. I find myself beginning my searches using google, and then I use Galileo. It is so convenient to use google, while Galileo requires login credentials. The most obvious trait that I have in common with web searching teens is that I use google as a crutch. Although I have been introduced to more professionals databases, I am addicted to google! Google does not always give the desired results. Often when filter bubbles exist, the information presented can be biased. To avoid these filter bubbles I need to regularly clear my search history, remove my location, and limit the random sites I click on from pages.

Searching for information can be a challenge, but one of the best ways to obtain knowledge is through adventures!

References:

Abilock, D. (2012). How can students know whether the information they find online is true --- or not? Educational Leadership, 69(6), 70-74.

 GoogleVideos. (2012). Even better search results: Getting to know google search for education. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=f2jqwNxq1cM#!

Heick, T. (2014). How google impacts the way students think. TeachThought. Retrieved from http://www.teachthought.com/critical-thinking/how-google-impacts-the-way-students-think/.

Purcell, K. Lee, R. Heaps, A. Buchanan, J. Friedrich, L. Jacklin, A. Chen, C. & Zickuhr. K. (2012). How teens do research in the digital world." Pew Research Center: Internet, Science & Tech. Retrieved from http://www.pewinternet.org/2012/11/01/how-teens-do-research-in-the-digital-world/.

Rowlands, I. Nicholas, D. Williams, P. Huntington, P. Fieldhouse, M. Gunter, B. Withey, R. Jamali, H. Dobrowolski, T. Tenopir, C. (2008). The google generation: The information behavior of the researcher of the future. Aslib, 60(4), 290-310. Doi: 10.1108/00012530810887953