In such a technologically led world, it is easy to assume that tech savvy students are also research savvy. Many students are without the competent skill level to adequately research, despite their many hours spent online. This shouldn’t be overlooked.
Using Technology Adequately for Research
It is not fair to assume that because the majority of a particular age group spend a large part of their time on particular technologies, that they have the skills to use these same items to efficiently and effectively research a particular topic. There should be an onus on teachers to assist students in acquiring such skills that will help them to best research assessment items.
Many students when presented with an assessment item will go to the likes of Google, type in a word or term and make use of the first one or two relevant websites that appear in the results. Perhaps there is some laziness in this. For many however, it is more a lack of understanding on how to best research a particular topic that leads to settling for what can first be found.
Teaching Students to Research Well
Teachers should take on the responsibility of assisting students in where to look online for information and what to look for. If time doesn’t allow this in class, a hand out with hints and tips or information on whom students can go to for help can be provided. Even pointing students towards particular magazines, books or online journals can be a great starting point.
Sometimes it is a lack of knowledge about where to look for information that results in a poor assignment from a student. It’s important to realise that a lack of information isn’t necessarily a lack of understanding or effort on the students’ behalf. However, if they are spending hours searching online in the wrong place, they may lose the motivation to persist until they do find relevant information that can be put into an assignment.
Improving Online Literacy Skills
When first introducing students to a topic, course or their first assignment, it is possible to guide them in a way that will improve their research skills online. Once they know particular terms to look for and where to look, assignment content is bound to increase in quality.
Having adequate online literacy skills will benefit all students. Teacher’s looking to improve their students’ study capabilities should consider the results of assignments over the whole class. There will always be students who do particularly well or less than average. Consider the whole class' results and whether students having access to information that was readily available online, could have added to their assignment content. Even once the assignments have been handed in it is possible to direct students to sites that would have been of use to them so they know where to look in the future.
A lack of references or a bibliography should be considered by the teacher as not solely a sign of laziness. There are many students who could be guided on how to improve their online literacy skills, starting today.
Chris Thomas - C. Thomas has studied and worked with horses since 2001. She teaches horse studies part time and is undertaking an Equine Science ...
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