Gen 200

Gen 200

Leadership: Summarized Readings-Week Three

According to The Chronicle of Higher Education, many students believe they are computer savvy because they are able to email, text message, and use search engines such as Google and Wikipedia. However with daily advances in technology, students find themselves in the state of confusion when it comes to academic research. Students no longer have to use the college library where materials have been reviewed by experts since most universities have a catalog of databases in which students can view a full article online. Colleges are now instituting information literacy programs in which librarians are teaching students how to use the university’s databases. Librarians are also teaching students skills to find, evaluate, communicate, and correctly cite information. Students have the convenience of the internet but lack the skills to do effective research. In order to do effective research students must develop the skills to choose a starting point for research, use search engines, take digital notes, evaluate the quality of the material, and cite documents (Foote & Goett, 2000).

Research is definitely easier now with advanced technology but the adult learner may find it difficult because they lack the skill necessary to perform effective research. As an adult learner returning to college, I find the university’s online library very confusing. There is a lot of information available and determining how to utilize the information is difficult. I am accustomed to the traditional way of doing research by using the college library. However in order to keep up with today’s technology, it is essential for me to develop the skill of performing effective research.