Reflective Searching

I am ashamed, but it is true, to say that I have similar characteristics of the Google Generation. They say we are all the Google Generation now though. When I need or want to know something then I pull out my smartphone, iPad, or laptop and Google it. Even if I am looking for scholarly information I Google it, but I make sure to get the information from a reputable site because it makes me feel better and more credible. I am careful when I am searching on the internet, because I know there is a lot of nonsense out there that can get me in trouble. There is a ton of information, but is it all true? No, of course not, and I know that. That is why when I do a search I am extremely careful to pay attention to what I am doing, where my information is coming from, and to cross-reference my information. I was reading the article, The Information Behavior of Researcher of the Future, and I was cringing the whole time. That was partly due to the fact that my birth year almost makes me a literal Google Generationer (I made that word up because it sounds cool) and partly because it totally describes me. I love to open a book and smell the pages, but I only love to open a book to smell the pages. I would much rather do research on Google and read books on my Kindle. I don't even like other search engines at all. I will occasionally use GoogleScholar, but again that is only to get reputable information and because it is a branch of Google (yep, Google Generationer here). I guess what I need to do to keep myself open to the world outside of Google (is there even one?!) is to open my filter bubble. AHH, that sounds scary! I need to start using the virtual libraries available to me, to strengthen my knowledge about scholarly sites, and to just get out of my comfort zone in order to learn more about the growing technology around me. 

Information Fluency

I have been thinking a lot about what this whole "information fluency" thing is about. If you're like me you are probably wondering what I mean by that, or maybe you already have a good idea about this new term. What I have come to find out is that information/digital fluency is something that everyone involved in the digital world is already working on. You might surf Facebook and/or Twitter, subscribe to a few blogs, or have your favorite Pinterest boards that you follow. That is all part of your information fluency. You log onto these websites because you have an inquiring mind and want to know more. We are all already seeking, sifting, sorting, and sometimes sharing what we find to be interesting, helpful, and inspirational in our digital world. I was recently reading a few articles that I tied together about how to build my own information/digital fluency and apply it in a classroom setting, which just so happens to match my learning goals I set for my class. Being fluent means that you can not only speak the language but you also think in that language; in this case, I mean the "digital language." I believe this happens when we completely immerse ourselves in the digital world and allow ourselves to really find what works best for us. What I have learned is that I need to be flexible with how I control what my students are doing in their own digital world. I can teach them to be digitally fluent, but I can do it by giving them parameters that allows them to still be individuals. I can also pique their curiosity in a topic by giving them something they would enjoy doing online that is related to that topic. They are still learning their objective, but that are also increasing their digital fluency. The digital world is constantly expanding at an exponential rate. We have to live in it if we want to allow ourselves to stay up to date on the latest news and ideas. We also have to teach our students how to be smart about how they live in the digital world, because I can guarantee they are immersing themselves in it already. 

I am also linking a YouTube video sent by my professor that paints a visual picture of the growing world of technology. Find it here.

First Ever Blog Post

I am a recent graduate of Armstrong Atlantic State University with a degree in Early Childhood Education. I enrolled in a master's program at Georgia Southern University in order to expand my education into the world of Instructional Technology and School Library Media. I am currently enrolled in a class about information fluency and inquiry learning. I have set a few learning goals for this class: how to effectively use research-based practices when it comes to digital tools, how to implement and immerse my students in technology-enhanced learning experiences, and how to develop a daily use of online and blended learning networks with other professionals. I am excited to jump into this semi-foreign world of the latest technology!