Information Literacy

I use online search engines many different times throughout the day for many different reasons. Along with many people in the world, search engines have become a very useful tool and important as technology advances. I use search engines for things such as spelling, directions, weather, news and much more every day. I have only and always used Google when I am searching for something. I knew there were many other search engines out there but Google is always the first place I go to search for things. I was already aware that some websites are not reliable and should not be used for finding information. But, after reading the materials in this assignment, I learned many new things about search engines. Because I use it so much, I was surprised that Google searches are filtered by number of hits and not the significance of the information you are searching. 

I will more than likely continue to use Google because I have anyway used it and it will be hard to break the habit of typing it in so much. However, after all of the information I read, I am now more open to different search engines. Gradually over time, I think I will try to use different search engines in order to find more reliable and best information out there. Now, when I search for things online, I will definitely be more aware of how search engines may not be showing me the most relevant information.  I plan to teach my students all about these tools I have learned. I know that throughout their career in school, and in their everyday life, it will help them get the best information possible in order for them to succeed. 

I have read and learned a lot of things I had never even heard of doing before this assignment. I think many people today use search engines and do not think about how reliable each website is that comes up as well as how reliable the search engine’s information is. By looking at things such as, external links, publishers of the website, history of the website, and reviews search engines online, you can better know and understand which website are best to use. Technology is only going to advance more over the years, meaning more than likely my students will continue to use search engines. I now know many strategies when using computers and searching for different things online and hope to teach them to my students one day.