Ok, technically no one is decrying the brain-rotting effects of search engines (except those weird Bing “Search Overload Syndrome” commercials). But in the vein of Steven Berlin Johnson’s excellent book about how supposed “sensory overload” is actually making us smarter, Science Daily reports that “search engine use is not just part of our daily routines; it is also becoming part of our learning process.”
The study observed that searchers use the engines to confirm their own knowledge, not just to find unknown answers – enriching the learning process. Also, subjects actually used search engines differently according to their learning styles.
My general philosophy about all kinds of media, including interactive media like search engines, is that they are all just tools, and our benefit and detriment stem from our use of them, and not inherent value. So this study is encouraging but not particularly surprising, I think.
I look forward to how scientists and educational researchers will use search engines and similar programs to further interactive and learning, especially in elementary school. Nothing spurs a kid’s imagination more than the discovery of possibility.
(via BoingBoing)
