The exponential expansion of the information on the web resulted in more powerful and more sophisticated search engines. Modern search engines use intricate algorithms to select information based on the user’s previous online behavior to tailor search results to what the user is most likely to like or agree with. As a result, the user is exposed to a personalized set of information, links, sites, and pages while being under the impression that he or she is seeing an untampered view of the World Wide Web. Though most consumers benefit from quick finds of desirable products, some intellectuals, like Eli Pariser and Tim Berners-Lee, sounded an alarm claiming that it would lead to information bubbles which will lock people within comfortable but isolated, their own cultural, educational, and ideological mini-worlds. Eli Pariser coined the term “Filter Bubble” and spoke eloquently against limiting people’s exposure to conflicting viewpoints and information. Watch his presentation at http://www.ted.com/talks/eli_pariser_beware_online_filter_bubbles.html and post your thoughts on the issue. How can “filter bubbles” affect education and what is the role and responsibility of educators in ensuring free access to information?
I am currently taking a multicultural education class, and one of the issues we have dealt with is how there needs to be more education that is outside of the comfortable norm. How can a child see conflicting viewpoints or a learn about a different viewpoint when they are restricted because of a "filter bubble" and other technology forces like it? I think it can affect education in a bad way because it does not allow expansion outside of the comfort zone.
ReplyDeleteI believe educators should encourage students to actually search for conflicting viewpoints and for broader topics. maybe that can train the "filter bubble" (I have no idea if it would or not). I noticed somebody in the video comments suggested using startpage.com and torproject.org. I think those would be helpful to use as educators. I think as teachers we should encourage unbiased searching; searching the internet for differing opinions.
(pjones)
I really enjoyed watching the video about "filter bubbles." It is an issue I have never personally thought about, but now that it has been pointed out it me, it seems glaringly apparent. The internet is not autonomous and it appears that we may be receiving the short end of the stick. I'm very interested in finding out how my facebook and newsfeed have changed over the past few years due to filter bubbles - I wonder which friends' opinions, viewpoints, and information I have missed out on?
ReplyDeleteIn regards to filter bubbles and education, I feel that these filters may be holding out students back. If a student spends all of their free time at home researching video games and toys, their search results will yield something completely different from another student who spends their time researching animals or marine biology. As educators it is important for us to show students viewpoints or opinions outside of their comfort zone. It is important for students to comprehend every side of the story, even if they don't agree with it, in order to promote tolerance and understanding.
(slefevre)
This is sad because it's contrary to what has made the internet great. Personalized news is a fine idea if it's a side panel, but not if it's all you are seeing. Not being able to see what is left out of your bubble is wrong, but not knowing about the existence of the bubble is even more wrong. This is the first time I've ever heard of this, and it just seems manipulative, especially since there is no transparency. I am immediately suspicious that the motivations must be commercial. Clearly, part of the intent is to make sites more appealing to each user, but is there more to it? Ultimately, we are talking about the ability to exercise a certain amount of control over the flow information without the knowledge of the user, and that is a scary thought considering many people are looking to the internet for their news. Hopefully raised awareness will lead to more transparency, but I fear people may be too comfortable with having information delivered to them that is already conformed to their views.
ReplyDeleteI'm imagining a classroom where students are in different bubbles, along with their teacher, and there is segregation due to varying information availability. As educators, we have to discover how to best get around the filters and expose students to the world as a whole. We should inform students of the possibility of filtered results and discuss the potential ramifications. We should encourage students to make their searches specific and to look on both sides of debates. It would be awesome if teachers could use their voice to join in sounding the alarm against limiting the flow of information.
I was unaware of the "filter bubble" until I watched the video. The "filter bubble" has a negative impact on education. Students are receiving personally tailored results instead of information that could go against their thinking. As as result students are not being challenged or seeing other points of view. In the classroom students should be challenged and pushed out of their comfort zone and the "filter bubble" is doing the exact opposite.
ReplyDeleteAs educators we can help with this issue. I would inform my students about "filter bubbles" and discuss the topic of bias information. I would also ask students to gather information from multiple sources to ensure the information is valid. Also, students could compare information they gathered with their classmates.
I always wondered how Google refined your search to a particular area. For instance, when searching for a store Google knows I want to look in Mobile, Alabama. Filter bugs explain this thought. I do not think filter bugs are great for education. Teachers are always asking student to “look things up” and do their own research. Google has become an easy solution to this “look things up” problem. However, students can be mislead in their research by what is filtered. Just as Eli Pariser explained in the video, one student may find more conservative views while another student may be directed toward more liberal views. In other words, Google and other sites are shaping a student’s view for them before they have even read the information. Therefore, the student has not constructed his own opinion. Instead, it was decided for him before he even pressed “search”.
ReplyDeleteThe teacher’s responsibility is to inform students about filter bugs. Teachers should suggest looking up topics in printed resources such as books and articles. By using printed resources students are more likely to obtain unfiltered information. Meaning the student is exposed to a variety of opinions. While the internet may be a good resource for quick information, it is not reliable for forming opinions or research papers.
I like the idea of using books and articles,too. Some sources are more biased toward the right and others toward the left, so ideally students would research using opposing viewpoints before rendering an opinion on a topic.
DeleteI agree that looking at both sides of issues can be taught, especially in history class. If a teacher has one point of view, he or she needs to present both sides. Debates are a great way to do this.
ReplyDeleteI did not know about the "filter bubble" before I saw the video, but I wondered why it was so difficult to find something two times if I did not save it. What comes up on an individual google search changes so quickly. The information on my searches change each week depending on what sites I have been on. When I go back and search under the same key words, I get different results.
ReplyDeleteThis video was enlightening and a bit frightening. I think Eli Parisier is right. To have a democracy, we must have a free flow of ideas. We, as educators, must teach students to be critical thinkers. In the classroom and in the world, we must listen to each other's point of view and learn from each other. This filtering of information is detrimental to our country as a whole. We will be creating young people who are uninformed about issues and what is going on in the world if they only hear one side of the story in history. Even teachers and adults will be uninformed if they do not look to several sources of information. If we do not learn history, it repeats itself. We must teach our students to be wise and educate themselves about current day issues by broadening their horizons and considering both sides of the issues. If they simply read the internet news from their "filter bubble," they may think they are properly educated on an issue, when in fact, they only know one side of the issue. It is our responsibility to show students how the internet works and how Google is filtering the information that they receive. In English classes, students learn about bias in advertising. the "filter bubble" and how it works should also be taught.
What an enlightening and frightening video. We know that the mainstream media is very liberal in its reporting. We only get one side of most stories but we know going in the bias and can choose to watch or turn it off. Now students can be given a one dimensional search depending on thier prior searches. This is a self fulfiling prophecy in which if you lean one derection on an issue you will be forever bombarded with that slant on other issues. It will make for an even more polarized society, since you will only hear what you want to here. You will never have to think critically since you will only here the one side you presumably agree with. This type of filtering must assume that people are one deminsional or will not change opinions over time and maturity. I have recommended this video to everyone I can think of. It would behoove all teachers to inform their students to be cautious when searching the internet and to use several search engines not only google as they diffently have a strong political agenda.
ReplyDeleteI don't think "filter bubbles" affect education because alot of stuff is blocked on school computers anyway. An most students use school computers the most, like before/after school programs. If students use a home computer then I'm sure the whole family uses it and that could be alot of people. Also, there are other search engines besides Google, like Ask.com or Bing.com and Yahoo.com. As a educator it is my responsibility to expose my students to different ways to research information for my class. "Filter bubbles," would be something I tell my students about and educate them on digging deep and finding all the info they can on a topic.
ReplyDeleteThis really was a good video to watch. I knew the search results on google were bias because any one who owns a business can pay google for what spot they show up on in their search results. Its like the yellow pages. But its always good to watch videos like this to educate myself, so that I can better educate my students.
The presentation was quite interesting! I must say that I agree with the presenter when discussing "filter bubbles." In higher education, our student rely so much on the internet to look for resources for their projects and such that it is quite easy to see how a filter bubble might negatively detract from one's research.
ReplyDeleteAlso, from a student development standpoint, I think that a filter bubble may cause a student to be challenged less in their personal views. I think it might do students a solid should educators not incur their own personal filters on the school systems internet so as to create a better accessible internet environment. In higher education, professors should be able to trust that students will utilize the information highway that the internet is in a healthy way, and worry less about limiting access to it.
The theme Eli Pariser highlights is the ideal of making sure the internet is the thing we dreamed of it being. We dreamed it would be a forum for learning new ideas and debating issues with people having wildly varying perspectives. We dreamed it would make us part of a larger world. Instead, "algorithmic gatekeepers" filter this world so that many are caught in an information bubble that can turn into junk food. This trap can be presented to students while using the computer at home. They eventually are trained by these hidden programs to only accept information that matches their personalities. When these students go to school, they take this learning habit into the classroom. Here, they can face difficulty while in a social science class or history class that presents varying political perspectives and personal ideals that strongly conflict with the views of those in the classroom. It also weakens their ability to debate various theories and points of view with others. Such students also are subconsciously trained to be spoon fed information. Further, students have limited ability to get a good sample of results from doing research on the internet. The teacher, therefore, is one way to present a broader spectrum of information. However, since these filters exist, the teacher must search for alternative materials to present to the students. How the teacher accomplishes this is not clear. There must be some technique or tool that can allow free access to a greater variety of information for the students. Hopefully this problem will be researched and resolved.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that filter bubbles existed. I was talking with my husband and he knew there was a little filter, but didn't realize how big it can be from watching this video. I think it does affect education especially in high school. We are teaching children how to find the right information from good resources. If they use the school computers they can find some information, and then they go home and will find different information on a topic. How do we teach the children to go around these filter bubbles? I believe we have to be more specific in what we want the students to find and research. It can't be a broad topic like in the video. Like Ele Pariser said two of his friends googles Egypt and got different results. One did not even get a current event of the protest in 2011. So we really need to stress what we want our students to research, and be specific than just a broad topic.
ReplyDeleteI thoroughly enjoyed this video. I have too noticed the information I receive when I search a topic is different from other people. This is a great burden on the education world. This "filter bubble" is hindering students from going beyond their level of knowledge. This is telling our society that it is okay to be mediocre and not strive to know more. I think this filter should be optional. I have noticed on facebook that the ads you see are directly related to the information you post. Just because I was recently married, it does not mean all I want to read about are newlywed advertisements. The filters are strictly limiting our students on learning new things. It is making them feel too comfortable in letting others make decisions for them. We must teach our students to be life-long learners and strive to know more.
ReplyDeleteI was aware that Google, Youtube, and other search engines filtered one’s search results in a way that it shows what they think concerns the most to one. I did not know that Facebook was doing it too and I did not know it was called “filter bubble” although it is the name that best describes it. I do not think personalized results are bad for everyone, but they can be misleading sometimes, especially for students. This phenomenon goes in the opposite direction of Common Core Initiative, since instead of making education research a “common standard”, it makes it “custom-made”. I believe everyone should be the option to make searches in “absolute” or “personalized” mode. I have used in the past programs that block one’s IP address and make the computer anonymous. In the video’s discussion Justas Birgiolas says there are two websites that do this for you as well (startpage.com and torproject.org). If it is permitted in the school, I would let my students use this tool for their searches.
ReplyDeleteI thought this was a very informative video. I never realized that there was such a thing as "filter bubbles". I assumed that when searching the internet I would receive the same search results as a person in a different location searching the same topic. I do not believe that there should be such a thing as filter bubbles because I believe that students should have access to all information that is relevant to the topic they are researching both familiar and uncomfortable information. I liked the analogy they used referring the information to "junk food" explaining your search results may be "junk food" based on previous information you searched. I believe the internet should be a connection to all information not what information someone or some algorithm thinks you want to see or have access to.
ReplyDeleteI see this being a major problem in education by sheltering student to things in their environment and comfort zone. It is only fair that a variety of cultures and values are equally presented and equal access is provided to students leaving them partially responsible and able to make informed decisions about their likes and beliefs.
Filter bubbles can really mess a person up if they are in Alabama on the internet and go to Georgia to look up the same thing they may never find it. The video was really eye opening to me and made me think of so much that is hidden from us every day. Each search engine shows people different things and some are very biased on certain subjects. This is something I have had to show my students as they have been doing research papers. They can find a lot more information of their topic on their home computers, than their school computers. Also I have encouraged them to use books and journals once something is printed and published on paper it cant be taken back unlike the internet that particular pieces is there to stay. School computers have lost of filter bubbles for instance this website I am having to access from home because according to my internet at school the site does not exist. I tried to ask for an over ride and was denied for numerous reasons and basically was told this is not an appropriate website for students. I feel like our kids are exposed to way worse things than my EDM website and was very upset about it. Now that I have watched this video it makes me wonder about a lot of things that we are filter bubbled from.
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of the filter bubble before watching the video. But it makes sense that everytime I search for something, not matter what it is my first link is always the same website. According to the video this link comes up each time because it is the link that I click on the most.
ReplyDeleteI feel that the filter bubble can be very limiting to our students. They will not be exposed to challenging view points. Therefore reports, research papers, and internet searches will not be as reliable because of the filter bubble. As educators we need to make sure that our students are exposed to material that would be challenging and uncomfortable as well as material that would be considered comfortable.
The concept of the filter bubble isn't very groundbreaking to me. I worked in media for several years so I know about the restriction of information. News outlets are in ratings wars, competing for precious viewers and advertising dollars so they're going to show us what we WANT to see, tell us what we WANT to hear. They have their target audiences and they, for lack of a better word, pander to them.
ReplyDeleteIf Pariser is correct, the Internet is following suit to an extent. Social Media has freed channels of communication for the consumer but at the same time they too have subscribers that they must appease, placate, and entertain.
His point that we need the internet to give us these diverse viewpoints sounds good in theory, and he's right, but at the same time nobody wants to see every single political post that one friend - and we all have one - makes every day because they have nothing better to do. That's what the"Hide" button is for and Facebook didn't put it there because of some algorithm. It exists because we wanted it.
I think that the search engines should bring up ALL information about anything we request, because every student is not a cookie cutter. What I look up on the internet for personal use should not filter what I look up for my classroom. My students are a mixture of personalities, races, and cultures. Therefore my research for their education should be all of the above.
ReplyDeleteI believe it is the teacher's role to offer an unbiased education, not one that is condusive to only one type of student.
"Filter bubbles" can affect education in a negative way. Students will not be given the chance to see and hear different sides and arguements of important political and social issues. Students will not learn to think for themselves, making their own decisions based on what they have read and seen. Instead students will grow up thinking that there is only one answer to everything and will be close-minded. It is our job,as educators, to make sure that our students are given the "full picture" of issues involving our country and thw orld. Educators are responsible for ensuring that all children be open minded and argue their point based on information that have learned about and observed. Teachers should make sure that they research all aspects of a topic before showing it to their class, as well as be acquipped with websites that portray all sides of any topic being discussed.
ReplyDeleteAnna
I was surprised to learn about the "Filter Bubble." I didn't realize that people got such different results from the same search engines. I found the simple explanations very useful. I do not like the thought of only receiving information that the computer thinks that I should get. In regards to its effect on education; I feel that it can be limiting. It is our responsibility to help make sure that students are aware of the world around them. Educators should encourage students to get information from a variety of sources to help them get a broader view. Projects that allow collaboration, such as wikis, could be used to allow students to research topics together and keep track of the sources.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of the “Filter Bubble” until this post. I have noticed the different results when searching the exact same topic on different computers and devices. I never thought to give much attention to why this was happening. This could possibly serve as an issue for, not just students alone, but internet users. As a consumer, not realizing that I am limited to what I search is a little disturbing. I understand that we are in a world where everyone wants everything affiliated with them to be tailored made. Limiting the capacity of an internet search for users can be the beginning of handicapping intellectual gain.
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice to have a profile that would allow my searches to be tailored to my interested for that time of searching. I would also like the opportunity to search the web and have the “world” at my fingertips. You know, like the original intent of the World Wide Web.
Prior to my returning to school for higher education administration, I did a stint in corporate America, working for a marketing firm that relied heavily on the behaviors and changing algorithm of the Google search engine. Similar to how news outlets often find themselves restricted in to one stereotype, as to what light they convey the news in, companies use backdoor techniques to utilize Google to get the most search value for their brand names and products. After the most recent update to Google's algorithm, information that was most unique took precedent in searches, meaning repeating slogans and keyword loading in copy online would lessen a companies chance of being listed. A blog written organically by an individual might boast more unique content, and register more often than you might think in a Google search. In this same manner, individuals are receiving the most unique and accurate information that can be directly linked to what exactly they typed in the search box. Often, while the discrepancy is blamed on the search engine itself, an individuals inability to convey what they are really searching for in their search terms is what limits their results the most.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite quotes is "the point of education is to teach you how to think, not what to think". In this same sense, "filter bubbles" are like an online type of agenda-setting, restricting the avenue in which a persons thoughts may travel. When researching a topic, it should be the responsibility of the researcher or student to sift through what is most applicable to their direction, not the search engine itself. That is what learning is about!
I was not aware of the extent to which filter bubbles are used to determine the results of my web searches. When I use Google, Yahoo, or other search engines, I do not want my searches personalized. This prevents me from being able to choose and make decisions for myself.
ReplyDeleteAs teachers, we must inform our students about this problem. Students will need to know that they may not be receiving an unbiased list of results from their web searches. To prevent this, I would ask my students to include some information in their reports that were not from the Internet. Also, students should be taught how to evaluate their sources so that they will know if the information they have received is fair and balanced.
In closing, if filter bubbles are going to be used, I think Internet users should be given a choice to either receive a personalized web search or one that is complete. When shopping, some users may appreciate being directed to certain sites that they enjoy using. However, for research purposes and regular inquires, I think filter bubbles limit the information that is essential for comprehension and learning.
For me, Filter Bubbles have both positives and negatives. The negatives, of course, are that filter bubbles can constrain a student from seeing different view points. It puts blinders on the student. Educationally this is negative because there is little challenge in their beliefs. In order to combat the filter bubbles I would first inform my students about them and have them understand they may be getting biased information from the web. I would then have them retrieve information and sources from multiple search engines and also non web-related information.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I cannot fault search engines and social media for using these algorithms and filter bubbles. If you look at our society, everything is personalized. From our IPhone, to our cars, online education by learning at your own pace, even our morning coffee with Keurig. Why wouldn't we want our searches to be personalized? Yes, filter bubbles are useful much of the time, but in educational settings they can hinder the learner by restricting the challenging views they are receiving.
Eli Pariser make some very good and valid points about the filter bubble. At the end of his speech he pointed out that the internet should bring us together. If everything is being filtered out we are less likely to work together as a society.
ReplyDeleteAs an educator, it is our responsibility to provide our students exposure to the world. Students should be informed of the filter bubble and its positives and negatives.
Eli Pariser explained how the web tailor-makes search results based on the user's previous searches. This leads to results that fit that user's viewpoints. These filter bubbles can be very dangerous to education because an important part of learning, is viewing conflicting viewpoints. We learn a lot when we disagree. Challenging viewpoints cause us to thoroughly and carefully examine our own viewpoints. If there is a filter, then we might assume that are viewpoint is popular or right. As the old saying goes, there are multiple sides to every story. We learn by seeing these multiple sides. As an educator with this knowledge of filter bubbles, I think it would be important to make my students aware of them. It might also be helpful to do the same experiment that Mr. Pariser did when he asked two of his friends to search for the same subject and examined the different results. That would be a great, concrete example for the students to see just how filter bubbles affect search results.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the video did a great job of explaining the modern-day censorship that our internet society faces today. "Filter bubbles" affect education because they tailor specific pieces information to be consistent with our personal interests. This sounds great, but it in fact limits us to exploring uncomfortable information that is more likely to educate us on topics we were previously unfamiliar with. If yahoo news feeds me stories mostly based on travel and leisure, I am less exposed to U.S. news and important issues that are going on around me. As educators, I believe that filter bubbles should be made aware to students, and that we should encourage students to read and research topics outside of our comfort zone. In a way, we need to promote doing this in order to find a loophole around the filter. By making our internet patterns unpredictable/unreadable, we may be helping ourselves by ensuring exposure to a broader amount of topics and viewpoints.
ReplyDeleteFilter Bubble
ReplyDeleteI found this speech very interesting. It is crazy that I have never heard anyone research or talk about this, but I have actually noticed certain people on my Facebook page kinda disappear and wondered why they do not show up as much as some other people. Filter bubbles can diminish the potential of young students today. As teachers we are suppose to ensure free access to knowledge and allow students to create there on ideas and opinions, not make their minds up for them. This was a great presentation.
This video was a wonderful explanation of what happens when media is too focused and consumer based, instead of academic and knowledge based. I think that it is good to have some tailoring, but like Pariser says, it should not leave out or edit out the other items. I have noticed this with Facebook, Google, and Yahoo News for several years now. Sometimes it is great, because it shows me the stuff I want to see, but then I find out later that something of great importance occurred, but Yahoo News didn't think I wanted to know about it.
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ReplyDeleteThis was a very informative video that confirms my beliefs about the internet. I have notice for a couple of years now that when I get on YouTube, Google, and the internet they show results that cater to my interest. For instance, when I go on YouTube, it display videos that related to videos I want to watch. When I search Google, the search results brings up similar websites that I do not believe would be everyone's top web links. Furthermore, when I am just searching the internet, it displays advertisements that are associated with my interest. However, at first I believed those results were just a coincidence, then as time progressed I knew the internet catered to my interest. Agreeing with the video, I believe that the filter bubbles are going to handicap us to more available information/searches. However, it can be helpful to cater to your interest. Therefore, there are pros and cons to both ways so I believe there should be a balance which would be a win/win situation for all. As a result, students and educators should be aware of the filter bubbles because it can effect their class work, home work, and research work. Just as educators many times get together and conduct research, students may need to collaborate and search the internet to get results or at least view five pages of search results to display more links.
ReplyDeleteThis video from TED.com was very informative. I knew that engines, like Google, at least used my location when I searched for things. For example, if I have to type in St. Pauls, it will first show me St. Pauls Episcopal in Mobile, Alabama, which was what I wanted. For have to be thousands of 'St. Pauls' schools and churches in the USA. Instead of showing me one from Maryland, it presents me with the one closest to me. I think this is a good way of filtering; but I do not like the other ways these search engines are filtering as I just learned.
ReplyDeleteFilter Bubbles can affect education everywhere for everyone. It could influence a student that is age eight, or myself, twenty-three. If I want to learn more about a daily war that a country in Africa has been and is fighting and I get happy results, I would come away thinking "Hey, it's not so bad!" Not only can it affect our work, but our brains as well, and how we view different situations.
I believe it's our job, as educators, to share the information that Eli gave to help students think outside the box and not have them look so much into what the internet says. I think one of the best ways to ensure that students are getting the right information is to use more public computers (public libraries, school libraries, classroom computers) rather than personal computers for research, that way hopefully the computer hasn't learn what one mind is thinking. Secondly, having several people pull up the same information would also be helpful in that different results will show.
The video was incredibly interesting and informative. I was obviously aware of this concept, but I gained so much information from the video regarding filter bubbles. This definitely saddens me to think of filter bubbles being applied to children and teens who are trying to gain knowledge. I think it is important that once kids get to a certain age, they are able to think for themselves. I have always hated that fact that political or religious issues aren't really discussed in schools, because it is imperative that students receive information from opposing sides or all sides, so that they can make a knowledgable decision for themselves. As the Internet and research become more vital aspects of curriculum, filter bubbles are going to become more of a problem. It isn't realistic for students to conduct research on the Internet, if they are only going to get results that are tailored to fit their so-called needs and interests. We need to allow students to be exposed to ALL aspects of culture, so that can gain experience and knowledge that will shape them into who they will become. Teaching in a rural school, it saddens me to think of the results that students will NOT ever see regarding issues around the world, simply because of where they live. I think it will be important to educate our students about filter bubbles. It would make for an interesting activity to take your class to the computer lab and have them all google the same word or phrase, then have them compare their results with a friend's.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that Filter Bubbles existed to this extent. I assumed that websites that had the most hits, matched closest to my search, or were more popular were the sites that I saw first. I did not have a clue that they were filtered to my personal preferences. As an educator I can definitely see how this can negatively impact education. Students use the internet so often now and need to have a broad range of resources available to them through a search engine. I know as a teacher that I certainly want my students exposed to more than what they are familiar with and to reach outside their own comfort zone. I think there should be easier ways to prevent Filter Bubbles or it should be an optional feature, not a predetermined feature.
ReplyDeleteI thought this was a very informative video, and I had never heard of filter bubbles before now. I had not realized that internet searches make searches so individualized, but I do see this as a problem when searching for differing viewpoints and ideals. I think educators must teach students about filter bubbles, and also provide alternative ways to search information such as the duckduckgo.com search engine, that has no filter bubble, and educators should challenge students to be more specific in their searches.
ReplyDeleteI believe that “Filter Bubbles” have a huge impact on education. When people are only exposed to beliefs and cultures similar to their own, they are limited in their ability to grow. If we all remain in our bubbles we cannot progress as a society. I was very surprised by the results for an “Egypt” search. I knew this happened, to an extent, but I was not aware of how drastic the differences in our bubbles can be. I attempted this with my roommate and we had pretty different results.
ReplyDeleteIn education we need a lot of different resources, so that we do not remain in a bubble of information. In my perfect educational world, we would have many views and ideas represented in the classroom so that students can develop their own ideas and beliefs based on their own personal interpretation of all the available data.
Wow, I feel so naïve! I have noticed that my searches return location specific information, but I hadn't thought past that. I love the junk food analogy, and get that this is exactly what is happening. No matter how much a person is set on one perspective, they should still want and have access to all perspectives.
ReplyDeleteNot being too tech savvy, I wasn't sure how educators should go about ensuring students get an unbiased experience on the internet. So I googled it, haha!! And I found this great article listing "10 Ways to Pop Your Filter Bubble". And I am excited to do them:
http://www.thefilterbubble.com/10-things-you-can-do
So, I think educators should be making students aware of the Filter Bubble and teach them the steps to "popping it", as well as WHY it is important to have access to relevant information that may or may not what we want to hear.
I feel like this is very important information we have learned, and I am glad to know there is something I can do about it.
Agreeing with others who have already posted, I had no idea the internet was filtered to this extent. This has a huge impact not only on my news but also the news received by our students. I agree that the way the algorithm is worked is very important. We not only need to get news that is relevant, but we also need to receive news that is uncomfortable. This keeps the internet as it was intended, to provide us with unedited information. As teachers, we need to remind students how important key words are to searches. By searching for specific things, the editing ability of the algorithm will be limited. For example instead of searching Egypt it would be better to search Egypt political riots.
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ReplyDeleteI was already aware that the internet was filtered, but had no idea it was this extensive! I have recently noticed that ads on webpages are always things I am interested in. It is amazing how precise these algorithms (filter bubbles) can be. I agree with the man in the video that we need a balance diet of information, however, I fear that these "filter bubbles" are here to stay. This means we, as teachers, need to explain to our students that it is very important to use proper key words. We need to explain to them that "filter bubbles" could possibly impede their search results. We need to educate them!
ReplyDeleteWow! I enjoyed watching Eli Prariser’s presentation. While, I knew that ads (such as those on Facebook) were specifically geared to certain demographics and interests, I had no idea about the larger concept – The Filter Bubble. This plays a huge role in education! How are students supposed to think outside of the box, welcome new ideas, or gain new perspectives when the internet is showing us what it thinks we want to know? How can we learn to “challenge” other points of views when we are not being educated on what other things are going on? I enjoyed Kat’s website she posted on the ways to pop the filter bubble. I think it is important for educators to explain to students the concept of the filter bubble and inform them on how to “clean up” their computer.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it would be a bad idea to have a filter that try's to figure out what you are looking for by using your belief or viewpoints. Because, then you are only getting one point of a story, speech, or any kind of information. There needs to always be free access to any information that students or teachers try to find. So that you understand both sides if you have a debate in class for a assignment. Having this filter bubble would take away opportunities and keep students knowledge very one sided.
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ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting view of the internet. It makes me think about how technology is changing the world so much that it won't even allow us to view another perspective on an issue. Personally, I enjoy being exposed to both sides of an argument or situation. I would like to be able to read a democratic perspective and republican perspective of an issue. I am concerned that I would be only given the option of one perspective while in order to be completely educated on a topic, I need to know both sides. I also feel the need to be told the truth about ideas and topics, while I might not always agree with the truth, I need to read or see it. Always being told I am right is an unrealistic confidence that I do not need to have on my perspective in the long run.
ReplyDeleteSarah Faircloth