This content is derived from a PTA lecture delivered by William McLaughlin, principal of Shepton High School.
Maximizing the advantages of the internet can be a daunting task; however, with appropriate knowledge and resources, both students and parents can reap the rewards of this remarkable technological advancement.
- Establish a Social Network for Group Study Sessions: It is beneficial for students to connect with family friends or peers, particularly those who have previously taken relevant courses, to facilitate studying together.
- Utilize online resources for homework assistance:
*Khan Academy – Backed by the Melinda & Bill Gates Foundation, this platform offers a wide array of subjects including Test Preparation and Science. Visit https://www.khanacademy.org/ for more information.
*Wolfram Alpha – This website can solve various mathematical problems you present. It’s a fantastic tool, but remind your children that while it provides solutions, it doesn’t offer support during exams. The optimal way to leverage this resource is to review the problem-solving process. Visit http://www.wolframalpha.com/ for more details.
- Be selective with online searches – Many students typically resort to Google, type in a query, skim a few articles, and consider their task complete. This approach can lead to biased or incomplete information. Students must critically assess sources and explore different viewpoints. For instance, when researching the “Iran Hostage Crisis,” a Google search might yield primarily American viewpoints. It’s essential for students to seek out a broader understanding. They can enhance their search results using Google’s Advanced Search feature (Go to Google/ Settings/Advanced Search) to adjust parameters for region or language.
- Assess the credibility of the author or source of the material you are reading. Is the information trustworthy? Is it opinion-based or fact-driven? Identifying the author can provide insights into the reliability. You can utilize https://www.easywhois.com/ to discover the site’s publisher. Always question the validity of what you read; don’t take it at face value just because it’s online.
- The domain of a website can serve as a useful gauge of its reliability. Here are some common domain labels:
.EDU – education
.COM – commercial
.MIL – military
.GOV – government
.ORG – organization
.NET – network
- Explore alternative search engines such as Bing, Yahoo, and Ask for different results or to filter out irrelevant information. Enhance the precision of your searches using some effective techniques:
- To find an exact word or phrase, enclose it in quotation marks.
- Using AND or + commands ensures that Google includes a specific keyword in the results.
- Utilizing OR (in uppercase) or the vertical bar between keywords directs Google to show pages containing either term.
- Incorporating a dash “-“ before a term excludes all results featuring that word.
- Do your Google searches yield the same articles as someone else’s? Not necessarily! In his TED Talk, “Beware Online Filter Bubbles,” Eli Pariser highlights how modern search engines, like Google, customize searches based on user preferences, potentially limiting the spectrum of information available and skewing our global perspective. Check out http://www.ted.com/talks/eli_pariser_beware_online_filter_bubbles for insights.
Technology is now an integral part of our lives, and we cannot ignore its impact or assume it is being used responsibly. It is crucial for parents to remain informed and actively monitor their children’s technology usage. Mr. McLaughlin aptly noted, “We’ve allowed children to navigate the digital landscape without proper oversight.” This lack of supervision can leave parents unaware of their children’s online activities, sometimes leading to consequences that could affect their futures. The ease of posting online contrasts sharply with the often difficult process of removing content once it’s there.
“As parents, it is imperative to establish guidelines, monitor technology use, and set boundaries. Prohibiting device use during meals, in vehicles, or while on family vacations can foster meaningful conversations with your children. After all, they will be off to college before you know it,” advises McLaughlin.
