Transcript The Google Generation: Information behaviour of the

The Google Generation:
Information behaviour of the
researcher of the future
Maggie Fieldhouse
CIBER
School of Library Archive and Information Studies,
University College, London
CIBER’s study
• Literature reviews
– Pre 1990 (Generation X, Baby
Boomers)
– 1990-1993 (Generation Y)
– Post 1993 (Google Generation)
• Longitudinal studies
• Log analysis
• Review of new technologies
View from ATL
“And over 90 per cent of teachers are
concerned about the impact of
plagiarism on their students’ long-term
prospects.
Beverley Alaimo, from Newcastle under
Lyme College in Staffordshire, said: “I
believe students who provide excellent
pieces of work which achieve a high
grade will find progression to a higher
level far more difficult, as they will not
have the knowledge and understanding
necessary to cope with the work,
however, new lecturers will, again,
assume that students do.”
The academic view
“white bread for the mind”
• Tara Brabazon delivers a
scathing attack on attack on
the lack of skill and judgement
displayed by her
undergraduates with regard to
their handling and evaluation of
information.
View from the media
•
The study confirms what many are
beginning to suspect: that the web is
having a profound impact on how we
conceptualise, seek, evaluate and use
information. What Marshall McLuhan
called 'the Gutenberg galaxy' - that
universe of linear exposition, quiet
contemplation, disciplined reading
and study - is imploding, and we don't
know if what will replace it will be
better or worse. But at least you can
find the Wikipedia entry for
'Gutenberg galaxy' in 0.34 seconds
How different is the Google
Generation?
• Will they research in new
ways in the future?
• What does post-web life mean
for information seeking?
• How much does technology
matter?
• How have older generations
adapted to new technologies?
Is the Google Generation a myth?
• Not an accurate
description of all young
people
• Perceptions of the
impact of ICT on young
and older generations
needs rebalancing
• We’re all Googlers now
Assumptions………..
•
•
•
•
Young people are expert at using computers
Young people use search engines to find information
Most are satisfied with the results they get
Students demand 24/7 access, instant gratification
and expect ‘answers’ (rather than a book or article)
• Younger people rely on friends/parents/teachers for
information rather than using libraries
CIBER has found that………
• EVERYONE – students,
professors, lecturers and
practioners – exhibits
bouncing/flicking
behaviour, searching
horizontally rather than
vertically. Power
browsing and viewing is
the norm
This raises concerns about
• The demise of creative
and independent thinking
• Self directed learning
• The role of libraries
• Use of library resources
• Information skill levels
• Plagiarism and respect
for copyright and
intellectual property
Education
• Information skills need
to be developed at an
early age
• University is too late
• Scholarly behaviour has
become promiscuous
diverse and volatile
• Does this constitute a
dumbing down?
We’re all librarians now…..
• Need to establish a central
position as trusted 3rd parties
in the information chain
• Find out about user behaviour
and preferences
– Making library research
more rewarding and
exciting
• The use of library resources
– Making content easier to
use
– Making systems as
intuitive to use as Google
Information literacy
• Get information skills on
the agenda
• Close the gap between
performance and
perceived skills
• Develop IL skills to a
level appropriate to the
demands of HE and
research
Google Generation: implications for the
researcher of the future
• Keep things in
perspective!!
• Digital libraries are in
their infancy
Thank you
[email protected]