Studies Show that Students' Research Habits are Changing in the Digital Age

Teachers believe that Google is the most widely used search engine for student research

According to this study conducted by PewResearchCenter, teachers believe that students' research habits are changing alongside the rapid development of digital technology. A survey was given to Advanced Placement and National Writing Project teachers to see how they perceive students' use of technology, and whether they think technology is beneficial for students both in and out of the classrooms. About three-quarters of AP and NWP teachers believe that the internet and digital search tools have had a "mostly positive" impact on students' research habits, but 87% say that these technologies are creating an "easily distracted generation with short attention spans" and 64% say that today's digital technologies "do more to distract students than to help them academically." Teachers from all over the nation have believed also that the very meaning of "research" has changed due to the internet. Teachers and students both say that today, "research" basically means "Googling." As a result, some teachers say that student's research has "shifted from a relatively slow process of intellectual curiosity and discovery to a fast-paced, short term exercise aimed at locating jut enough information to complete an assignment." These teachers' perceptions are reflected in their survey responses shown in the graph below. 

It is clear from the graph that teachers believe "Research" almost means "Google", with 94% of teachers saying that students are very likely to use Google or other online search engines in a typical research assignment. Wikipedia and YouTube also trails behind as 2nd and 3rd place for student research, and it is interesting to note that printed books or textbooks are slowly dissipating as sources of research for students.

Teachers have mixed opinions towards to academic use of cell phones in classrooms

Cell phone use has been a debated controversy in the education department, with teachers defending both sides of the issues. According to the surveys done in this research, several teachers noted how these tools can spur excitement and learning. They gave examples of the benefits of cell phone use, like looking up interesting information in class rather than having to wait later and forget about it. Other teachers obviously believe that cell phones can be distractions in the classroom, but they also expressed the belief that "cell phones are here to stay and present an opportunity to connect with their students using devices the students are excited about." In the graph below, when asked how students are using their cell phones in classrooms, teachers report that 42% of the students look up information in class, and that 38% of students take pictures or record video for a school assignment. Cell phone and internet use have been changing and growing for students in their academics, and it will be interesting to see where this growth takes students in the future years.

Teachers agree that judging the quality of information is the most essential skill students need for the future
When asked what skills are needed for students' successful future, AP and NWP teachers agreed that both judging the quality of information and writing effectively are the most important. In the graph shown below, teachers believe that students who are able to conduct research effectively by evaluating the quality of information that they find and communicating efficiently will have a successful future. Behaving responsibly online and understanding privacy issues surrounding digital and online content trails closely behind the two most important skills, with 85% and 78% teachers agreeing respectively. The lowest category is working with audio, video or graphic content, which is based heavily on technology. With the rise of technology use, it will also be interesting to note how this skill will be evaluated in terms of importance a decade from now. While the teachers generally agreed on what skills are needed, there were also mixed reviews on when these skills should be taught and by whom. Many teachers thought that these skills should be taught in elementary school, while others felt that elementary students may not be ready to learn such skills yet.

The question of who should me responsibly for teaching this part of the curriculum was also open to debate, as some teachers openly acknowledged that they do not feel qualified to teach some of these skills. Other teachers also suggested that these skills need to be taught by all teachers across the curriculum. As the development of technology starts to rise, students need to be able to
keep up, adapt, and effectively use these technologies to propel their education to the next level.