The Google
Students have the world at their fingertips. Unfortunately this is not helping their critical thinking skills. The internet is also a huge distraction.
Charles,
This is a funny but sad post! So many students do think that the Internet is the ultimate fact book.
Shelly Crider
I have many students that will refer to information they found on the internet in order to argue a point, at which I like to say "Yes, everything on the internet is true!...Bonjour!". At that moment the students have a little laugh and we discuss facts versus fiction, and the right way to complete our objectives versus bad information found on the internet.
Jeffrey,
Oh I like this! Resources are very important to know where they are and how to use.
Shelly Crider
Andy,
It is true...the internet is here and will only become more of a resource.
Shelly Crider
I also like to give assignments that require students to use more than one resource for the same information. They all wish for one source for every answer (dont we all), it helps them convince themselves they need to look in more than one direction for information. Service manuals and the online aftermarket resources can have wildly different information, Google is a poor choice for technical specifications.
I have these same thoughts at times. Other times I realize that the internet is not going away and that I am going to have to accept how it has changed the thought processes of students. I am reluctantly beginning to realize that I am going to have to change my feeling of how the Internet has affected education and learn how to work with it to meet students needs.
kate,
Quick is not always reliable or correct. Nice post.
Shelly Crider
YES! and I find that they really don't have the skills to discern quality. What is good information? What is good writing? What is good design? The internet provides quick answers, but students don't seem to know how to evaluate their credibility.
Michael,
I like your comment on "embrace the changes" due to the fact that change is always around!
Shelly Crider
I enjoy having students with access to the internet. I incorporate it into my lectures - students with access should check on information and add to the discussion. I find that to try and stand in front of the tech tide and stop it is futile; it is better to embrace the changes.
Timothy,
We do live in an instant gratification society, we will need to teach a few soft skills including patience!
Shelly Crider
I believe the students feel they need instant results, they cant be bothered with having to search through a manual.
Matthew,
I like how you say "can be a powerful tool" as that hits the nail on the head!
Shelly Crider
I agree with most of you on the subject of Google. We as a society and as instructors have to educate our youth that while the web can be a powerful tool, it can also be a mostly based on opinion and thus be wrong.
Ryan,
It is good to show the bad of Google as well. Google something you know is false and show the students the information.
Shelly Crider
Google is mentioned fairly often by the students in class. I try to remind them that even though "Google knows all", it doesn't always lead you in the right direction. I tell the students to use internet searches only as a last resort after all other standard means of research (AllData, service manuals, asking instructors, etc.) have been exhausted. There is a lot of very useful and valid information online, but the students definately need to learn how to filter that information, and understand that just because they saw it on the internet doesn't mean it has to be true.
Paul,
I really like when we share resources....that you Paul for Alldata!
Shelly Crider
This is true Chris, it amazes me how quick the students can learn and pick up video games and forum type websites but have trouble navagating a simple program like Alldata. Is this because thay dont really have the interest or because it is a requirement?
Lana,
This is a great idea in itself! Have the students do research on commercials that offer misgivings!
Shelly Crider
