Searching is an amazing tool which is used by a vast majority of people. Information can be collected by the click of a mouse. Google has been the most popular search engine as it usually can pick up what your searching for the best. This has changed a little bit as of recent, as Google has become more conservative. Now hate and negative websites do not appear at the top list if at all. This has its benefits and negatives. However, Google still ranks highest and will likely to continue to soar as the company expands. Yahoo and Bing are quick to follow any changes Google makes.
Free-text search is the most popular search as it is the default. It searches most if not all of your keywords. This is a great search to use if you want some basic information fast. For a more accurate search it is best to use an exact match search. To find exact searches you have to put in a sentence like this, "President Obama." Some search engines can be used directly for students. The search will find material age appropriate. Also as a teacher it is crucial to have students analyze the websites they are searching. Some of the best websites are .edu and even .gov. Students must be cautious with .com and even .org. Wikipedia is the exception to .com usually, as it is backed by educated people.
Plagiarism and cheating has become an epidemic in this digital age. During my school years the best you could hope for is looking over a shoulder. Sometimes the teacher would have students grade their tests and than you could keep your own and fix your errors. Now it has gone to new levels. Papers are available for purchase online and students use cell phones to take pictures to use on their tests. Cheating is nothing new, but the access has gotten much easier. However, with todays standards it is no surprise that some students feel forced to cheat.
Credit to Powtoon
References
Maloy, R. W. (2014). Transforming learning with new technologies (2nd ed.). Boston: Pearson.
Perhaps as we shift away from standardized tests and more to authentic assessment tools, students won't feel the same kind of pressure. Still, the use of one's own work is challenging as the fear of failure still abounds in our general culture. Too bad that the science lab, where experimentation is promoted, does not permeate more in our culture - education or otherwise.
ReplyDeleteFun Powtoon! You captured the essence of the chapter content and I would guess that your students would enjoy creating one on their own content. :)