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 9 minute 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?
Eli Pariser http://www.ted.com/speakers/eli_pariser.html
How "filter bubbles" affect education is it chooses what we, as educators and students, view by taking in different information, but the problem is it affects how we view certain things. This filter makes us comfortable in our own thinking and moves us to a world of forgetting what we need to see and taking us to a world of what the internet thinks we should see. Instead of getting diverse information so we can come up with our own decision we are getting information that does not challenge us with other points of view. This is our role and responsibility as educators is to ensure that our students get that opposing view point so that they never get comfortable, but are always bettering themselves and their ideas.
ReplyDeleteBased on our past searches, the internet is using algorithms or "filter bubbles" to show us what it thinks we want to view such as certain images, sites, information, etc. It personally tailors the search from the first thing we had previously clicked on which may not be what we need to see or learn about. Filter bubbles create limitations to what teachers and students can search for on the web. As educators, it is our responsibility to view and search a variety of sources to make sure the algorithms have encoded in them a sense of public life and to give us some control back. We should be able to determine what we can/cannot search for. It is essential that our students are provided with a window of opportunities to learn from so they are challenged to think outside of the box and so they are not content on being inside that filter bubble. According to the video, we must be sure it filters by relevance, importance, different perspectives, and even with information that is uncomfortable and/or challenging.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a wonderful Ted talk - and how scary that these filter bubbles are giving such control to technology over what information we have access to! This level of filtering could have devastating effects on our students and their educational experiences as it seemingly will lead to students not being exposed to necessary information that would instill in them a sense of what Eli Pariser dubs "civic responsibility." It is our job as educators to ensure that students are challenged and exposed to multiple points of view about a wide variety of topics so that they become critical thinkers who are actively engaged in the global community. Instead of giving students and educators free access to education and ensuring that all possible resources are at their disposal, "the Internet is showing us what it thinks we want to see instead of what we need to see." We as educators may not be able to ensure that all students receive an equal education when search results and information presented is personalized without our knowledge or consent.
ReplyDeleteThis was a very informational video, and I didn't even realize that this was going on! It is crazy to think that these "filter bubbles" are having such control over information. This could have drastic effects on our students because they could be getting only one side, or one point of view. We must be sure that our students are getting both "sides of the story"-so to speak, so that they are able to come up with their own point of view based on ALL of the facts, instead of the internet giving us what IT thinks we want to see. We must be sure that we make our students aware of this. As stated in the video, "we need the internet to be that thing we all dreamed of it being."
ReplyDeleteI was very surprised by the information presented in the video. I did not realize that Internet searches were so personalized. I was even surprised at how much Facebook would filter out. I thought that I had greater control on Facebook, but now I realize that it may be filtering out feed from certain friends based solely on my interests. I think that, as educators, it is our responsibility to teach students about how algorithms are used and teach them how to search out the information they need. I think it would be valuable to have students do Google searches and compare their results, not just at school but also compare the results from home computers. This would illustrate to them how the information is manipulated and would open up discussion about the pros and cons of filters. This generation is growing up in the Information Age, and they need to understand not only how to use it, but also how they access the information. We want to strive for a more democratic Internet in order to ensure that we have a democratic society. We need more control over the information we have access to in our daily lives. We need to teach students the importance of considering other view points and seeking out those other views.
ReplyDeleteI did a lot of online shopping for Christmas this year which is new for me. I noticed immediately that the advertising on my Facebook page changed. I realized it could not just be a coincidence and wondered how Facebook knew about my online shopping sprees. It completely makes sense that we have these more advanced search engines now that give us more options of our considered interests. We have to be aware that the internet, just like more traditional news is really not geared to give us all the facts all the time. There have always been biases and now with all of the advertising opportunities online we have to be even more aware of what we are reading. Our students must be critical thinkers in every aspect of their lives.
ReplyDeleteThis was a very interesting TED talk by Mr. Pariser. I was actually talking with my coworker the other day about advertisements that had been popping up on my Facebook page. They were EXACTLY the items/places I had been shopping on the Internet...Gymboree, Ann Taylor Loft, and Rent the Runway. It was a little unsettling for me actually. After listening to this talk, I now know that computer algorithms are responsible for this, even more scary! I believe this is a danger to us not only in education but to the general public that have no idea this filtering is going on! We need to make our students AWARE of these filter bubbles that can really affect their opinions and attitudes of really any subject out there. These filter bubbles give us articles that we mainly agree with or have a connection with...this is not allowing us to read or know about other points of views on any subject! I agree with Pariser in the fact that it is our civic duty to make students aware of other points of view on subjects. The way to do this may be teaching them different ways to search for topics. I can see where this can become a bigger problem as time goes by if technology users do not realize what is going on. We do need those "human gatekeepers" back to give a little more balance to searches!
ReplyDeleteI, for one, have become alarmed by how personanlized not only searches have become, but advertisements have become as well. It sounds like I am not the only one who has experienced the same thing! I understand that by tailoring our search results these search engines are making our lives easier, but I fear that we will not learn as much in the long run. Part of researching is to learn from other people's point of views and break out of our comfort zone. This new system of searching is eliminating this form of learning, and it is our job as educators to make sure that we reopen these avenues for ourselves and our students.
ReplyDeleteThis TED talk was not at all surprising to me. I noticed a while back that when I search for something with Google, and then go back to Facebook or any other site that has ads, the ads immediately change to feature information about what I just searched on Google. I did not know, however, that different people could get different results while using Google based on information they had clicked on previously. I also did not know that your Facebook friends that show up on your timeline could be filtered either. Google is slowly taking over the internet and technology in general. I noticed the other day that when I was looking up an address with Google Maps, it told me how far that address was from my house and from my job. That was a little creepy. The main way I think "Filter Bubble" will affect education is by limiting what students see when they do a simple Google search. They may be looking for specific information but because of their previous searches and clicks that information may or may not be presented to them. It is important to inform students of these "Filter Bubbles" so that they can be aware of how information is "picked" for them to view. I think it is important for students to not be tricked in to believing that everyone views things the same way they do. Google and other search engines may eventually lead people to believe that their opinion is the right opinion because of the lack of variety in the results of their google searches.
ReplyDeleteLast semester I had to write a paper on the changes in the World Wide Web. That is when I first learned about the new web that is considered "personalized". This video did a great job of demonstrating how this could have a negative impact. The filter bubbles that Mr. Pariser talked about are limiting the information a person is seeing. He describes them as creating a unique personal universe online. Major companies like Facebook and Google are using filters to show users what they think they want to see. Even the news from some companies is being personalized. As described in the video, the information is no longer a balance diet of information vegetables and information dessert. It is becoming more like information junk food to make users content. It is very scary to think about the impact this will have on education. Students need to see various points of view and use their critical thinking skills to decide what is the best information If the internet only presents one perspective, students will never be challenged to think for themselves.
ReplyDelete"Filter bubbles" affect education by excluding potential information that could broaden students' views. Students should be presented with various viewpoints and topics to increase knowledge and to form their viewpoints as well. It is unfortunate that we as a society have become use to focusing mainly on ourselves and what we deem to be important. Although I do not agree with the "filter bubbles," it makes complete since why I would be sent information from prior interests and not simply the information I searched for. In the end, we all loose out because we will continuously be fed information from similar interests and not feel the need (unless actively sought after) to further advance our knowledge on certain views or interests.
ReplyDeleteThe filter bubble has become more and more relevant in the last few years. The implication that this type of filtering has for education is not well understood. By applying a personal filter to information we gain less information. Before the implementation of these algorithms when a student executed a Google search everyone's search would produce the same results, however, now when students produce that same search they will see different answers dependent on their previous searches and internet choices. The true implication for education is that students will not often encounter information that is counter to their thinking and therefore they may not ever truly gain the whole picture of any topic. As educators we must bring this to our students attention and cause them to question their searches and probe them further than they might otherwise do.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting and informative presentation by Eli Pariser on “Filter Bubbles”. I have never heard of this phenomenon, yet now that I am aware, I can clearly see where my searches were catered towards my past participation. I agree with Pariser and his statement that these “Filter Bubbles” are an invisible shift that could be a real problem because it limits exposure to information that could challenge and broaden our worldview. “Filter Bubbles” can affect education because the filters will limit relevant and important information for the people that do not embrace this type of information normally. The filters will hinder access to legitimate educational information. The role and responsibility of educators in ensuring free access to information is great in that we must provide an even playing field for all students if we plan on grading each student with the same standards and expectations. I am curious to know if deleting browsing history, download history, and cookies would completely erase all traces of personalization to the point that no “Filter Bubble” would occur. If so, requiring students to research information in the same location, such as the campus computer lab with the same type of computers, as well as requiring a full sweep of previous information, would hopefully result in the same information rendered for all students.
ReplyDeleteI thoroughly enjoyed this TED talk! I never knew just how tailored search engines are to each individual's interests. It is a very unfortunate circumstance that society has become surrounded by what they want to see and hear. The internet should be used to broaden and increase knowledge but, in reality, it is limiting people's wingspans and creating tunnel vision by delivering exactly what they want. Young people use the internet as their main, if not their only, source of information. They are being deprived of significant knowledge through the "filter bubble". The typical middle or high school student most likely uses the web to watch youtube videos and read about pop culture. Through the "filter bubble", their computer screens are being bombarded with more and more irrelevant information. It is already a difficult task to determine what information from the internet is legitimate and what is garbage. Now, the opportunity to make that decision isn't being left up to the person behind the screen. The "filter bubble" s preventing students from even being able to see educational or relevant current event sites. As educators, it is our job to make sure students are well informed of the "filter bubble" and that if they truly want relevant information, they need to be their own search engine. Simply typing a phrase into a search engine and getting their information from the first few links that pop up is not credible. Teaching them that they must be diligent researchers will serve them well.
ReplyDelete"Filter Bubbles" were designed to personalize your internet experience. These filters at first give you choices tailored to what you like by using algorithms. For example, if you consistently watch horror movies on Netflix, Netflix will suggest horror movies and shows related to horror. This is a great thing if you are not researching and using the internet solely for entertainment.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of education, when researching using the internet, your topics may be limited due to years of algorithms already in place. The internet "knows" what types of information you prefer and certain specific things relevant to your search may not appear. The example used in on the link was that two of Mr. Pariser's friends both searched "Egypt"on the internet and they received two distinctly different pages of information.
One way that may affect your search is to search prior to logging in to your account, if applicable. Another thing that one can do is to search outside of your comfort zone and view things that you normally do not do. You can also turn off filters to personalize your site and searches. As educators, we need to warn students of these filters in place and let the students know they must be diligent in their searches and use a variety of sources. Another way to overcome this is to use different browsers or search engines.
I am not really certain how we can assure students they will have free information in the future. This does not really seem like it is in our hands individually. I would suggest to students to take part in Wikipedia, as we learned in past lessons. To take part by improving and editing. I can also suggest to them to perform searches with other students, as each person has their own set of algorithms in place. The students researching together would be able to see how similar or different their searches really are.
I think the most obvious examples of this "bubble filter" is youtube, at least that I have questioned myself about in the past. Search engines are making the internet extremely monotonous in today's "online" society. The irony of all of this is that the internet originally had the perception as a source that allows us to obtain "new information" that can benefit our well being as opposed repetitious irrelevancy. From an educational These "filter bubbles" are limiting or brainwashing students today that what is in there search engines is all they have to look at which is satisfying to them and the information that does not appear on search engines is irrelevant. As educators we need to let students be aware of these filters search engines are creating so that they are not ignorant of the topic because we can not control what they choose to look at and not look at.
ReplyDeleteTed brought out some valuable information about filter bubbles that I never paid attention to in the beginning until now. A filter bubble is your own personal unique bubble that contains information that you live in online but if you cannot control what goes into out what goes out of your bubble than how can it be your own personal bubble. Filter bubbles can affect education in many ways. In the video, Ted showed two screen shot images from two friends who searched Egypt. The results were different because of their filter bubble. Basically, because of their search engine, it decided from them what they thought would be more important to the individual friends. When it comes to education, students and teachers, who use the internet for research projects and other material for class, the filter bubble only gives information that they believe would be more valuable to the individual. Over all it would limit the student and teacher resources. I think that the role of the educator is to inform the students what a filter bubble is and how they can try to avoid such by using other search engine and using other sources for information beside the internet.
ReplyDeleteWhen I am using the internet for commercial reason, to buy something, "filter bubbles" are increasingly obvious. This can (sometimes) be convenient. I did not, on the other hand, notice the extent into my personal and educational use. I know now that this a bigger problem than I thought. I am with Eli Pariser. I for one do not want to be sheltered from what is going on in the world just because I sometimes use the internet for less-than-academic reasons. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.
ReplyDeleteThis was a very interesting discussion. As he brought up some of his early topics, I thought back to when I started noticing when search engines started tailoring results. If found it interesting that they were beginning to do such things. I also found it interesting how much more detailed this tailoring was on my smart phone. I think that this can turn into a scary idea. It is off putting to think that external agents are controlling what I view in searches. As he pointed out, the new algorithms are the new gate keepers. These gate keepers base all of their decisions on if then patterns. In some instances, this can be perfectly acceptable. What happens when we want to broaden our results? How can we do this if we can not get past the gate keeper? The last piece that disturbed me the most was the speaker's appeal to those working with Facebook and Google. He did not ask these industry members to stop using algorithms. He said to modify them and make them better. For the sake of common knowledge, would we not want the use of these algorithms to stop? How can we "search" for information if we are going to be limited in what we will be able to find?
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