This document discusses addressing student research skills in the age of Google. It notes that students now consider "research" to just mean "Googling" and they don't think critically about online information. It recommends defining the purpose of research assignments and providing direct instruction on research skills. Specific strategies include directing students to appropriate resources, requiring different source types, and spending class time on topics like assessing reliability and improving search skills.

1. Addressing
Student
Research
In the Age of Google

2. What we know…
 “Research” has become “Googling”
 Students believe almost anything…
 Many students don’t think critically about
what they read online
 Students rely on the internet exclusively
rather than print resources
 The web is distracting

3. How can we address research
skills?
 Define the Purpose
 What is the purpose of the research?
 Is research directly assessed?
 What are your research expectations?
 Deliberate Pedagogy
 What direct instruction is required?
 What supports are needed during the
process?

4. A Defined Purpose
 Direct students to specific online resources
you feel are most appropriate for their
assignments.
 Develop research questions or
assignments that require students to use a
variety of sources, both online and offline.

5. A Deliberate Pedagogy
 Spend class time discussing how to assess the
reliability of online information.
 Spend class time helping students improve
their search terms and queries.
 Spend class time discussing how search
engines work and how search results are
generated/ranked.
 Give your students research assignments in
which they are NOT permitted to use online
search engines.
OWL Powerpoint: “Searching the World Wide Web Overview”

6. Using Online Resources
 The Visible Web
 Search Engines
 Online Encyclopedias
 The Invisible Web
 Web Directories
 Boolean Searches

7. Searching the “Visible Web”
 Master Google Search
 Use Google Scholar
 Start, but don’t END with Wikipedia
PA PowerLibrary
 Link on district website – feel free to place
wherever necessary!

8. Searching the “Invisible Web”
 Information that isn’t typically uncovered via
search engines.
 Mag Portal
 Infomine
 HighWire
 FindArticles
 The Directory of Open Access Journals
 Complete Planet
 Librarians’ Internet Index
 Refdesk
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/558/07/
OWL at Purdue

9. Shift Happens…
We need to move student research from
WALLOWING to WINNOWING