Googlepedia: Turning Information Behaviors into Research Skills
Introduction
There are diverse ways in which majority of the writers evaluate and utilize the information that is derived significantly over the past couple of years. According to a recent study, it has been concluded that an estimate of nine students out of ten start the process of searching for information from the web through the use of Google, or the online encyclopedias such as Wikipedia. This is true based on many writers and the web serves as a research home. This has renovated the nature of research resulting to more research-based writings. This can be accredited from two individuals who take different tests using both Wikipedia and Google. These writings are divided in sections such as narrative section, analysis section, reflection section and the instructions section. These divisions blend the voices of the student researchers and make it easier for the research. This does not mean that the aspects of Googlepedia are dismissed in the search for information.
According to James Purdy on his essay on Wikipedia, he states that Google and Wikipedia can be used as sources of writing assignments regardless of the cautious measures against them, this is because they are more helpful in the way they address diverse measures of utilizing them instead of ignoring them. This means that blended research process begins through the initial aspects of Google and Wikipedia and eventually concludes at the university library. Although Googlepedia has been identified as an effective way of conducting the research, it is not always reliable and students are advised to use the materials provided from their university libraries as they have effective information in research.
Understanding Information Literacy
Before working on the information derived from the online academic libraries, it is effective that individuals understand the concept behind information literacy. According to research by the American Library Association (ALA) and the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL), information literacy is defined as the set of abilities that an individual requires in the recognition of the needed ability discuss, evaluate, and utilize the required information effectively. The ACRL emphasizes that the information literacy is one of the developing and most effective contemporary environment based on the rapid technological changes and the proliferation information resources. Due to the escalating complexity of the environment, there is rapid information based on abundant information and resources. The information literacy is based on skills one needs to understand and utilize the provided information.
Writing in a Googlepedia World
The web-based aspect of the encyclopedia Wikipedia, are not only encompassed of a collection of web pages built on the wiki technology, it is usually web-based community of readers and trusted writers. Majority of the student’s users of Wikipedia trust the community of writers a factor that contributes to the progression of information pages. However, majority of the teachers criticize and disregard Wikipedia due to its open participation in the writing process and the possible unreliability in times of shallow coverage. The assumptions of Wikipedia are declining with time, as majority of the users believe that the information is protected and useful as majority of the people contribute their ideas and passions all over the world.
Wikipedia and Google are major research processes for writers today, leading to the ignorance of their roles. However, the verifiability of the information is not clear and consistent in majority of the sources that are identified through Wikipedia and Google as they comprise of sources found in majority of the libraries. In spite of the resistance encountered out there, it is noted that students have the conception that Wikipedia is unique and indispensible source of information and many of them have resolved various problems through the website. This is because Wikipedia allows them to get the sense of multiple aspects and angles on various topics. It joins the ideas of a single page and eventually provides a narrative and summary in which writers derive information during the research particularly in the early stages. Wikipedia and Google are the starting points of majority of the writers and the behavior based on the affinity of the students has a prominent outlook in the current generation of students. This has resulted to students being nicknamed “the Google Generation”.
In spite of the fact that it would be easy and understandable to dismiss the information and behavior of certain information, it is effective to utilize Google and Wikipedia. Teachers are supposed to realize that their students begin their classes with their own information and experiences. Through the realization of what writers gain from Googlepedia and developing the process, this essay is aimed at improving the research skills that have influences and the values of using search materials such as Google and online encyclopedias, such as Wikipedia in research processes. The following behaviors should be followed to achieve successful information in the research skills;
- Wikipedia should be used to get the sense implicated for the topic and the identification of various search items.
- Google should be used to get a broader sense of topics as well as to verify the information provided in the test search acquired through Wikipedia.
- The college library research for the database should be derived from the libraries web portals for academic and professional resources.
References
Miller, M. (2007). Googlepedia: The ultimate Google resource. Indianapolis, Ind: Que Pub.
Michael, M. (2008). Googlepedia: The Ultimate Google Resource, Third Edition. S.l.: Que.
