The advancement of technology just since the turn of the century has completely changed the value of the Internet for everyone. Young preschoolers to the oldest generation of grandparents are learning to use the Internet to find information and stay connected with friends and family. While the digital natives are creating and expressing who they want to be through various interactive websites. The Internet allows uses to find anything they could possibly want/need to know using a quick search engine like Google. A common phrase today when someone asks a question is- "Google it". I google everything from where we should go out to eat, what special events are happening, directions to get somewhere, the hours a store is open and those where all in the last 24 hours. So of course when I started thinking about this blog I thought why not Google it. So I typed 'resources for education' in the search box of Google and this is what came up-
Not exactly what I thought would come up but I could refine my search words to find millions of lesson plans, ideas, classroom management tips, resources of ready to copy worksheets. Especially when teachers are searching for specific topics and grade level they are able to narrow the search and find exactly what they are looking for. The Internet has become a very valuable tool for teachers because they can share their ideas and experiences but also explore how other teachers are teaching. Besides for using the Internet as a classroom resource teacher can also find many websites that with help students understand concepts and enhance the lesson. Students can than access the websites on their own to review or expand their knowledge on the new concept. This allows students to take control of their own learning and process the information on their time.
Overall I think that the Internet has completely changed education. Education does not happen behind the four walls that make up one classroom. The Internet has made it possible for students to contently learn and interact with classmates. Just look at our graduate classes. We have taken many courses that we have never met the other students but have completed group projects and interacted with them through the new technology ready available. The Internet continues to make the world a smaller place and encourages people to build networks.
Google it.
ReplyDeleteShould be translated in, find out who paid the most for that search.
Google has become a part of our speech. It is a noun (a thing, a search engine) and a verb (an action, searching for something or finding the answer).
It amazes me how in the span of about ten years we have gone from look it up in the encyclopedia to jump on your “GOOGLE” phone and “GOOGLE IT”.
Great points in this post. I especially like the example of how there are classes where we do not actually meet and we still can learn.
David Loreto
TIE 542
"Google It". It's become ubiquitous in our everyday vernacular. However, I often find that students need to learn how to search/research well.
ReplyDeleteIn my experience they often just type in exactly what they’re looking for and then are easily frustrated when they can’t find exactly what’s in their head at a given moment. Another challenge is that they often don’t bother to check if the website suggested is a credible source.
Do you find this is true with the students you work with? If so, how do you redirect/guide them to be better at on-line research, using Google or another search engine?
Yes I think that is very true about students. They still need to be taught how to research. Paying attention to who provided the website and learning how to cite sources.
ReplyDelete