inquiry project #1 search information on the internet

CEP 806CEP 806

Inquiry Project #1Inquiry Project #1

Finding and Using Internet Finding and Using Internet Information Information

CEP 806CEP 806

Dr. WongDr. Wong

J. DohmJ. Dohm

September 21September 21stst, 2007, 2007

Ideas, Predictions, Ideas, Predictions, and Explanationsand Explanations

What steps do students take to find science content What steps do students take to find science content online?online?

Do students understand the basic abilities of a search Do students understand the basic abilities of a search engine and how to use them?engine and how to use them?

Are students able to identify quality websites from others?Are students able to identify quality websites from others? Do students question the material they encounter on a Do students question the material they encounter on a

website?website? Do students check to make sure the information they Do students check to make sure the information they

discover is accurate?discover is accurate? Do students know how to properly document internet Do students know how to properly document internet

sources?sources?

Inquiry Questions

Project PredictionsProject Predictions Students will have a general knowledge of search Students will have a general knowledge of search

engines. However, they will spend a great deal of time engines. However, they will spend a great deal of time on their searches due to a lack of understanding how on their searches due to a lack of understanding how to select keywords and use quotationsto select keywords and use quotations

The majority of the students in the class will struggle to The majority of the students in the class will struggle to identify quality websites. Some students will use poor identify quality websites. Some students will use poor sites due to a false sense of trust in what they sites due to a false sense of trust in what they encounter on the internet, while others will simply lack encounter on the internet, while others will simply lack the drive to search for quality sites. the drive to search for quality sites.

The majority of the students will not investigate the The majority of the students will not investigate the validity of the information they find. Some will simply validity of the information they find. Some will simply believe their information to be correct, while others will believe their information to be correct, while others will lack the motivation to push their research further. lack the motivation to push their research further.

Project PredictionsProject PredictionsCont. Cont.

The biggest problem the students will have is The biggest problem the students will have is documenting what they find on the internet. Students documenting what they find on the internet. Students will not know the proper form for documenting internet will not know the proper form for documenting internet sources. Several members of the class will believe sources. Several members of the class will believe that the search engine they used is the actual source. that the search engine they used is the actual source.

The PlanThe Plan

““Developments in technology pose interesting challenges for Developments in technology pose interesting challenges for universal literacy. In principle, new technologies-ranging from universal literacy. In principle, new technologies-ranging from crank-up radios to digital video on the Internet-could provide crank-up radios to digital video on the Internet-could provide access to texts and tools for writing for all people throughout the access to texts and tools for writing for all people throughout the world” – world” – Bertram BruceBertram Bruce

In recent years technology has become an ever more present In recent years technology has become an ever more present means of educating students in the classroom. Technology means of educating students in the classroom. Technology allows educators to explore new methods of teaching, and opens allows educators to explore new methods of teaching, and opens up a world of information to students. Many classrooms use up a world of information to students. Many classrooms use projection televisions with computers to allow entire classes to projection televisions with computers to allow entire classes to view the same material simultaneously. Teachers are able to put view the same material simultaneously. Teachers are able to put lectures into PowerPoint presentations instead of the traditional lectures into PowerPoint presentations instead of the traditional note taking. Perhaps the most important technological note taking. Perhaps the most important technological advancement has been the accessibility for students to advancement has been the accessibility for students to computers. computers.

Explanation and Background

Explanation and Explanation and Background Background

Cont.Cont. In the school I currently work at there is three computer labs. In the school I currently work at there is three computer labs.

Each lab has an adequate number of computers to accommodate Each lab has an adequate number of computers to accommodate a typical class load. In terms of teaching students and creating a typical class load. In terms of teaching students and creating entertaining and effective lesson plans, these computer labs are entertaining and effective lesson plans, these computer labs are great. However, it has become increasingly obvious that this great. However, it has become increasingly obvious that this technology comes with a new set of problems. technology comes with a new set of problems.

In his article, In his article, Credibility of the Web: Why We Need Dialectical Credibility of the Web: Why We Need Dialectical ReadingReading, Bertram C. Bruce states “most users quickly see the , Bertram C. Bruce states “most users quickly see the problems that arise. Issues of privacy, plagiarism, pornography, problems that arise. Issues of privacy, plagiarism, pornography, hate sites, commercialism, and simply wasting time arise hate sites, commercialism, and simply wasting time arise regardless of the topic.” Students have also grown to expect to regardless of the topic.” Students have also grown to expect to find information instantly. They have spent their entire lives find information instantly. They have spent their entire lives around computers and as a result have come to trust and accept around computers and as a result have come to trust and accept the information they encounter on the internet. the information they encounter on the internet.

Explanation and Explanation and BackgroundBackground

Cont.Cont. Students of today have rarely, if ever, had to Students of today have rarely, if ever, had to

use traditional sources of information when use traditional sources of information when performing research. Very few of my students performing research. Very few of my students would know how to find information in a would know how to find information in a traditional library. As a result of this, they traditional library. As a result of this, they perform much of their work on a computer, perform much of their work on a computer, searching the internet for information. This searching the internet for information. This creates problems when students are ineffective creates problems when students are ineffective at using search engines. Students must know at using search engines. Students must know how to find, evaluate, and document quality how to find, evaluate, and document quality sources. sources.

Project Project DescriptionDescription

The subject of my inquiry project was “Star The subject of my inquiry project was “Star Wars” Technology. This project required Wars” Technology. This project required students to write a four to five page research students to write a four to five page research paper about technology found in Hollywood paper about technology found in Hollywood movies. The students were allowed to choose movies. The students were allowed to choose any movie from the “Star Trek”, “Star Wars”, or any movie from the “Star Trek”, “Star Wars”, or “James Bond” series. In order to write the “James Bond” series. In order to write the paper, they must choose a specific technology paper, they must choose a specific technology that they believed could be possible. They that they believed could be possible. They then needed to research the topic and then needed to research the topic and determine if the technology was indeed determine if the technology was indeed possible and if it already existed. possible and if it already existed.

The Research Assignment

The Research AssignmentThe Research AssignmentCont.Cont.

Out of convenience I chose to perform this Out of convenience I chose to perform this project with my 9th grade science class. This project with my 9th grade science class. This class contains eighteen students. Out of this class contains eighteen students. Out of this eighteen there is a wide range of academic eighteen there is a wide range of academic ability. This class was given three full class ability. This class was given three full class periods to conduct the research for their paper. periods to conduct the research for their paper. Following these three days the students were Following these three days the students were allowed two additional days to write and proof allowed two additional days to write and proof read their work. read their work.

Data Collection MethodsData Collection Methods

Student Questionnaire: Students were required to Student Questionnaire: Students were required to answer the following questions as they performed their answer the following questions as they performed their research. research.

What search engine(s) did you use in your search?What search engine(s) did you use in your search? What words did you type into the search engine?What words did you type into the search engine?

(Write down what you entered for each search (Write down what you entered for each search performed)performed)

How many searches did you perform? How many searches did you perform? How many searches did you perform before you found How many searches did you perform before you found

a quality source?a quality source? Why did you choose the sites you did? What made Why did you choose the sites you did? What made

them quality sources?them quality sources?

Post Assignment Post Assignment InterviewsInterviews

Student Interviews: Each of the fifteen students who Student Interviews: Each of the fifteen students who completed the assignment on time were asked the completed the assignment on time were asked the following questions in a post assignment interview.following questions in a post assignment interview.

What technology did you choose to investigate and What technology did you choose to investigate and why?why?

Approximately how long did it take you to find quality Approximately how long did it take you to find quality information on the internet?information on the internet?

How effective would you say your searches were? 1-How effective would you say your searches were? 1-very poor 5-very effectivevery poor 5-very effective

How did you determine if a website was quality or not?How did you determine if a website was quality or not? How did you verify that the information you found in How did you verify that the information you found in

your sources was accurate?your sources was accurate?

Teacher ObservationsTeacher Observations

Data was also gathered through simple Data was also gathered through simple observations of the students as they observations of the students as they performed their work. performed their work.

This method allowed for observations of This method allowed for observations of not only how the students approached not only how the students approached the project, but also their attitude and the project, but also their attitude and temperament when searching. temperament when searching.

Assignment Assignment resultsresults

Of the fifteen students who completed the Of the fifteen students who completed the assignment, one used a subject specific search assignment, one used a subject specific search engine. The remaining fourteen students used engine. The remaining fourteen students used Google, Yahoo, or Ask Jeeves.Google, Yahoo, or Ask Jeeves.

When entering words into the search engine, When entering words into the search engine, three students entered entire questions. These three students entered entire questions. These students had difficulty finding sites that dealt students had difficulty finding sites that dealt with the assigned topic. Only five students in with the assigned topic. Only five students in the class documented that they used the class documented that they used quotations when entering keywords into a quotations when entering keywords into a search engine (Aprx. 33%). search engine (Aprx. 33%).

QuestionnaireResponses

Questionnaire DataQuestionnaire DataCont.Cont.

The average number of searches performed The average number of searches performed during the research phase of the project was during the research phase of the project was seven. Three students performed over ten, seven. Three students performed over ten, and four students performed only two.and four students performed only two.

The average number of searches performed The average number of searches performed before finding a “quality” site was three. Seven before finding a “quality” site was three. Seven students claim to have found “quality” sites students claim to have found “quality” sites after their first search. after their first search.


Five students wrote that they used the Five students wrote that they used the sites they did because they were the first sites they did because they were the first they encountered. they encountered.

The remainder of the class claimed that The remainder of the class claimed that the sites they used had the answers they the sites they used had the answers they were looking for (had information they were looking for (had information they could use in their paper).could use in their paper).


There was a wide range of answers There was a wide range of answers regarding what made for a quality site. regarding what made for a quality site.

Seven of the fifteen wrote responses that Seven of the fifteen wrote responses that were difficult to understand (i.e. had the were difficult to understand (i.e. had the answer). Only three students in the class answer). Only three students in the class wrote responses that said the site had wrote responses that said the site had accurate information regarding the accurate information regarding the technology they were researching. technology they were researching.

The InterviewsThe Interviews

The interviews with the students were The interviews with the students were much more informative than the much more informative than the questionnaire responses. questionnaire responses.

Every student said they used search Every student said they used search engines as the main method of searching engines as the main method of searching for information on their chosen subject. for information on their chosen subject. Many students said that they used Many students said that they used Google because it “is the best” or “it finds Google because it “is the best” or “it finds the best websites”. the best websites”.

Interview Responses Interview Responses Cont.Cont.

Twelve students in the class said they found Twelve students in the class said they found quality sites within ten minutes of searching. quality sites within ten minutes of searching.

Two students said they spent more than twenty Two students said they spent more than twenty minutes searching before they found a quality minutes searching before they found a quality site.site.

One student claimed that they could not find One student claimed that they could not find anything on the internet regarding the topic of anything on the internet regarding the topic of the research paper. This student was one of the research paper. This student was one of the students who entered entire questions into the students who entered entire questions into the search engine. the search engine.

Interview ResultsInterview ResultsCont.Cont.

Three students in the class rated the effectiveness of Three students in the class rated the effectiveness of their searches as very poor. Five students claimed that their searches as very poor. Five students claimed that their searches were very effective. The average their searches were very effective. The average response was a 4 out of five (effective). response was a 4 out of five (effective).

The majority of the students said that a website was The majority of the students said that a website was quality if they were able to navigate through its quality if they were able to navigate through its contents easily. Four students claimed mentioned that contents easily. Four students claimed mentioned that the site had to have “accurate” information. the site had to have “accurate” information.

Alarmingly only three students said that they checked Alarmingly only three students said that they checked into the information they found on the sites they used into the information they found on the sites they used (verified the information as fact). (verified the information as fact).

General ObservationsGeneral Observations

There seemed to be a wide range of computer skills in the class. In his There seemed to be a wide range of computer skills in the class. In his article, Twenty-First Century Literacy, Bertram C. Bruce states “students article, Twenty-First Century Literacy, Bertram C. Bruce states “students with computers at home typically become classroom experts”. More with computers at home typically become classroom experts”. More investigation would be necessary to determine if this is the case here. investigation would be necessary to determine if this is the case here.

All students appeared to know how to use the internet and search for All students appeared to know how to use the internet and search for information. However, some students had an advanced understanding of information. However, some students had an advanced understanding of how search engines work, while others had a very basic understanding. how search engines work, while others had a very basic understanding.

Several students became frustrated while researching their chosen Several students became frustrated while researching their chosen technology. For the most part these students were the ones who minimal technology. For the most part these students were the ones who minimal computer skills. One student who had advanced knowledge of computers computer skills. One student who had advanced knowledge of computers became frustrated when he found websites that contradicted each other.became frustrated when he found websites that contradicted each other.

The three students who did not finish the assignment on time spent much The three students who did not finish the assignment on time spent much of the allotted research time on websites that had nothing to do with the of the allotted research time on websites that had nothing to do with the assignment. These students were using Google to find game sites or assignment. These students were using Google to find game sites or research video games that were to be released in the near future. While research video games that were to be released in the near future. While they obviously wasted their time, they did know how to use search they obviously wasted their time, they did know how to use search engines. engines.

Data Analysis and Data Analysis and ConclusionsConclusions

Every student in the class knew what a search engine was and Every student in the class knew what a search engine was and how to use it. However, not all students were able to use the how to use it. However, not all students were able to use the search engines effectively. search engines effectively.

The majority of the students in the class did not have a true sense The majority of the students in the class did not have a true sense of how search engines worked. This is evident in the fact that of how search engines worked. This is evident in the fact that very few students used quotations around keywords when very few students used quotations around keywords when searching for information. searching for information.

After studying the questionnaire and interview responses, it is After studying the questionnaire and interview responses, it is clear that students struggle to understand what makes up a clear that students struggle to understand what makes up a quality website. Furthermore, very few students attempted to quality website. Furthermore, very few students attempted to verify that the information they gathered was indeed accurate. verify that the information they gathered was indeed accurate. Several students had difficulty defending their findings. Many of Several students had difficulty defending their findings. Many of the websites were found to have inaccurate information. the websites were found to have inaccurate information.

When the students turned in their assignments problems were When the students turned in their assignments problems were encountered with their documentation. There sources were encountered with their documentation. There sources were documented improperly, and in some cases not at all. documented improperly, and in some cases not at all.

Evaluation of PredictionsEvaluation of PredictionsConclusion Cont.Conclusion Cont.

The majority of my predictions turned out to be correct. The The majority of my predictions turned out to be correct. The students were able to use search engines, but did not students were able to use search engines, but did not demonstrate a strong understanding of how they work. demonstrate a strong understanding of how they work.

My prediction that the students would struggle to identify quality My prediction that the students would struggle to identify quality sites also turned out to be correct. While the majority of the sites also turned out to be correct. While the majority of the students spent a great deal of time viewing sites of little value. I students spent a great deal of time viewing sites of little value. I was pleased in the number of students who were able to was pleased in the number of students who were able to subjectively analyze the websites they encountered. subjectively analyze the websites they encountered.

I predicted that students would not check the accuracy of the I predicted that students would not check the accuracy of the information they found. Once again this prediction turned out to information they found. Once again this prediction turned out to be accurate. The majority of the class did not perform and be accurate. The majority of the class did not perform and investigation about the information discovered. When I made this investigation about the information discovered. When I made this prediction I was unsure why this would be. I feel now that most prediction I was unsure why this would be. I feel now that most students simply lacked the drive or desire to research deeper into students simply lacked the drive or desire to research deeper into their subject. Only a couple students in class appeared to believe their subject. Only a couple students in class appeared to believe everything that they read. everything that they read.

Conclusion Cont.Conclusion Cont.

When it came to documentation I was once again When it came to documentation I was once again correct with my prediction. The students demonstrated correct with my prediction. The students demonstrated an absolute lack of understanding when it came to an absolute lack of understanding when it came to documenting internet sources in their research paper. documenting internet sources in their research paper. This appears to be due to a lack of practice. At this This appears to be due to a lack of practice. At this point I am unsure just how much they have been point I am unsure just how much they have been taught about documenting internet sources in their taught about documenting internet sources in their English classes. English classes.

In the end this inquiry project opened my eyes to the In the end this inquiry project opened my eyes to the way students use technology in a science setting. It way students use technology in a science setting. It has become clear to me that students must be taught has become clear to me that students must be taught about the technology itself before it can be used about the technology itself before it can be used effectively as an educational tool. effectively as an educational tool.

SourcesSources

Bruce, B. Bruce, B. Credibility of the Web: Why We Need Dialectical Reading.Credibility of the Web: Why We Need Dialectical Reading. Journal of Philosophy of Education (special issue), 34(1), 97-109.Journal of Philosophy of Education (special issue), 34(1), 97-109.

Bruce B. C. (1999-2000, December/January). Bruce B. C. (1999-2000, December/January). Searching the web: New Searching the web: New Domains of Inquiry.Domains of Inquiry. Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy, 43(4), 348- Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy, 43(4), 348-354.354.

Bruce B. Bruce B. Twenty-First Century Literacy.Twenty-First Century Literacy.

Bugeja, Michael (2004). Bugeja, Michael (2004). Don’t Let Students “Overlook” Internet Plagiarism. Don’t Let Students “Overlook” Internet Plagiarism. Educational Digest, October, 37-43.Educational Digest, October, 37-43.