Is There A Google Generation?
from the perhaps-not dept
There's something of a belief (at least among some) out there that kids who have "grown up" with Google are somehow better users of search engines and other online tools. They're referred to as "The Google Generation" by some. However, some new research coming out of the UK suggests that the Google Generation isn't quite what many people think. The study looking at how those who have grown up with Google (people born after 1993) do online research shows that they're not any better at using Google than those in other generations. If anything, the research actually suggested that we're all the Google Generation, as the ability to quickly process lots of information is found across generations. Of course, some of this is open to interpretation. The British Library, which conducted the research, claims that the fact that it's now common among all generations to look for quick blurbs of information and move on, suggests a "dumbing down" of society. However, that's not necessarily true. As the author of the article notes, being able to process lots of information quickly, before necessarily drilling down deeper, is an important skill. So, just the fact that people do end up reading more short blurbs or abstracts is hardly evidence that they don't also get the depth of information that they later need. On top of that, it would be surprising if people really thought that those under the age of 15 were better at researching information online. There are multiple tasks involved in research, and doing the search is just part of it. Being able to actually make use of that information and prioritize it is also important -- and it's those skills that younger users are less likely to have developed as well.Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
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Filed Under: google generation, kids, online research, research
Companies: google
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Tired or that claim
Just because its not exactly what they are used to they always seem to rush off to the arrogant claim that its being "dumbed down".
Critical thinking skills are still here, at least for most people, and some things are just sped up by technology.
As Mike mentioned, it is a skill to discriminate. If Google so happens to make that part of research a little faster, awesome. Doesn't mean its being dumbed down.
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I Googled It!
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Idiot's generation
we have a pretty good sample of this generation here on techdirt...
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Re: Idiot's generation
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Re: Idiot's generation
we have a pretty good sample of this generation here on techdirt..."
A sample of one sofar.
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Whats Next Youtube it?
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Re: Whats Next Youtube it?
Considering the depth and scope of the impact Google has had I think a site devoted to tech news would be wise to keep an eye on it and all related info.
/2 cent
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Re:
How 'bout next time you don't waste 4 mins typing this stupid comment, you tit.
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I use the Term in School
The basic reason for this is the fact that I know what I dont have to memorize now a days, since I have google in my pocket. This makes classes that require memorization the worst offenders of the younger students.
In a few years as older teachers leave the system and new teachers come in who are use to this, the google generation will change the way schools work and teach people how to use wikis and online tools instead of demanding we use the old way.
As for using books, why use a book when the same information is included with your online search, If I have to use the print format I can even use google's project of scaning all books in existance and read the book that way if I like. Going to a libary is the last resource I would use today, and usally only required for rair books or material from before the 1900's. In 5-10 years that information might be on google too.
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Re: I use the Term in School
Rair = rare
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That makes no sense. Google can't give you a free book if it's under copyright, which for some books goes back 70 or 80 years. You can buy books online but the library offers them for free. If you were a university student you'd be laughed out of class for not using a library. No serious publication would print something that references nothing but websites and public domain books.
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Re:
In fact a great deal of information is not available in printed form but only online. Granted most such info is rather trivial but if you were doing a book report on the trivialities of modern life you couldn't use books to learn about them as easily.
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Brave New World
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What happened to my formatting LOL
In my short lifetime, I've experienced: rotary to touch tone, answering machines, mobile phones that have gone from rich boy toy to $10 Virgin Mobile disposable phones, personal computers, 300 baud modems to what is now a speed of infinity, 5 14 inch floppy drives and you were a bad ass, with that 10 mhz computer processor (whoa baby), now the same technology is measured in gigabytes and terabytes.
Not to mention the local BBS (bulletin board for you wet behind the ears neophytes) communities that morphed into what eventually became the world wide web. I miss the genuine feel of community that exited.
I feel no similar sense of community online today, and I have no online friends, which is the exact opposite of my life fifteen+ years ago, when all of my friends were people I'd met through the local BBS networks
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Re: What happened to my formatting LOL
I need to find me some of that infinity speed though. I'm still stuck in the world of 1.5Mbps.
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Re: Re: What happened to my formatting LOL
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So go ahead, don't bother memorizing anything and you too can see the benefits of early onset of althizemers.
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Re:
No one said memorizing is bad and I for one don't avoid memorizing stuff just cause I can Google it. I actually can't Google from my car or a plane. I can't Google from a restaurant unless it offers wi-fi and I happened to carry my laptop for some strange reason. Memorization still has it's uses.
As for your argument about memorizing boring facts. If the point is to train your brain and improve memorization why not memorize useful information instead. That way you not only improve your memory skills but also gain a great deal of additional knowledge that is useful for something other than playing trivia games with your family once a year at Christmas. I'd say no matter how you slice it memorizing boring facts simply doesn't make sense.
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I am 50+ & am a part of GEN-GOOG
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It provides the power to uncover any tagged piece of information, but by design it also forces the researcher to narrow his focus with every link.
When I consume information online, I am rarely exposed to new ideas and trains of thought that I once found in printed information.
Are we saving time, or becoming more and more myopic?
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Re:
Yes
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http://www.quintura.com/
and yes I'm to lazy to link it, but you're likely lazier and won't copy it to check it out.
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Google
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Actully I can google anyplace but a plane now
I can aggree, strange books or vary specific material might not be online yet, however most books are online as e-books at this moment, others are forsale as PDFs.
I argue selective memorization over trying to cram my brain full of everything every time, vary few intro classes will go with this argument but some have. The point is sometimes, people know the word anyway but the textbook defination is not the same as the common use. Othertimes its words the textbook made up because its out of date with the real world.
I would much rather know how to find out something on the fly and which areas are good to go to any day then be forced to learn a textbooks glossory for the sake of learning it.
Keep in mind I am on the extreem end of the tech scale, however in 10 years all phones are going to have some kind of smart phone app built in.
(no I cant spell, get over it)
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googoo
back then information was hard to get but it took skill to navigate find information.
the Google generation, pick at a few words and hope that it gets you to some article - and not some overly optimized sales pages.
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