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Today many students when asked a question choose to Google the answer. A generation is turning to one (or perhaps two or three) search engines and reading the top two or three results. As educators we should think about how this type of search is impacting how our students think. This post explores this, looking at three areas:

1. Google creates the illusion of accessibility

2. Google naturally suggests “answers” as stopping points

3. Being linear, Google obscures the interdependence of information

What do you think? Do you think Google is impacting student learning? Do you think that project based learning, inquiry learning, authentic learning projects would provide opportunities for students to not only search, but to use their critical thinking skills? This post may make you look at search engines in a different way. 

Two interesting videos on website evaluation from www.freetech4teachers.com

I would like to add to Beth Dicther's share, via Richard Byrne's Free Technology 4 Teachers, that website evaluation skills should be a necessity for any student and educator regardless of online or face-to-face. 

website evaluation

Absolute must resource if you think teaching our students about academic integrity is important - espcially in the wake of the tsunami of information that we are experiencing!  Thanks again Joy Rosario.

Thanks to Elizabeth E. Charles. 

Richard Byrne shares five tools that he uses with students. They are:

* Google Forms

* Padlet

* Socrative

* Poll Everywhere

* Plickers - For the classroom that isn't 1:1

Each tool is discussed and if you search for the tool on his website you will find information about how to use it.

You may find that your students will be more engaged with exit slips if they use technology to respond. In addition, some of these tools provide unique ways to see the response, such as Poll Everywhere which will display feedback as word clouds.

I saw this when I finished my ID degree and started working with librarians in higher ed.  It's what made me want to go back and get the LIS degree as I saw the true compliment of both fields.

This infographic is designed as a comic and explains the ins and outs of using Creative Common images. You might consider using it with students. Originally designed in German this is an English translation by the designer. The infographic designed in German provides an explanation as to how you might read the infographic as a comic, providing short descriptions for each section. You may access the German version at this link: http://www.bildersuche.org/creative-commons-infografik.php and if you use Google translator it will translate the text of the article (but not the infographic).

As a teacher that strongly believes in visual learning, this is a highly recommended visual to aid in the introduction and understanding of what Creative Commons is and how to use it properly. 

Are you interested in learning more about how grit is a 21st century skill? Jackie Gerstein provides an in-depth look at grit in this post. You will find an image with a great definition, a TED Talk by Angela Duckworth on grit, as well as a link to a quiz that allows you to measure your grit level compared to others, and a list of some of the "characteristics or dispositions of Grit."

Perhaps you are asking yourself how can I work grit into my classroom? 

For example, project based learing, or having students work on independent study projects (think passion-driven) provide opportunities for students to use some of the dispositions discussed, such as tenacity, self-control, self-discipling and long-term goal oriented. 

As always, there is a robust list of additional resources.

I like this a lot