Today I researched Google-News and found this tool to be useful and interesting. Google-News is a computer generated news site that collects headlines from various news sources worldwide. It groups similar stories together, and each reader can choose to display the news stories according to their own preferences and interests.
In general, when I want to read the news, I choose a news-site and then look for headlines that interest me. With Google-News I am able to view several articles on a single story at the same time. This ensures that each story is represented by a wider variety of perspectives.
Some people might not enjoy Google-News because they only enjoy reading news stories written by people who share their own conservative or liberal views. Another reason why people might prefer traditional news is because they would rather view different stories as opposed to being overloaded with many stories on the same given topic.
As a teacher, I would find this tool useful especially while teaching about the presidential elections. Since every news site has a different slant, I would be able to present the candidates as they are viewed by different parts of society. This would encourage a healthy discussion among the students and teach them to think for themselves while learning about our wonderful democratic system of government. It would also broaden their outlook and teach them to view issues from different perspectives. Students would then be able to think and learn out of the box.
I think I might enjoy using this tool in the future. Do you prefer Google-News to traditional news?
Some people might not enjoy Google-News because they only enjoy reading news stories written by people who share their own conservative or liberal views. Another reason why people might prefer traditional news is because they would rather view different stories as opposed to being overloaded with many stories on the same given topic.
As a teacher, I would find this tool useful especially while teaching about the presidential elections. Since every news site has a different slant, I would be able to present the candidates as they are viewed by different parts of society. This would encourage a healthy discussion among the students and teach them to think for themselves while learning about our wonderful democratic system of government. It would also broaden their outlook and teach them to view issues from different perspectives. Students would then be able to think and learn out of the box.
I think I might enjoy using this tool in the future. Do you prefer Google-News to traditional news?
I can see the benefits of Google News in the classroom. It can be used to help teach point of view. Students (and sometimes adults) often forget that each person views the world differently. It can also help students who are researching a particular topic. All the information is in one place. Sounds like a great site.
ReplyDeleteI actually use Google Reader most of the time where you choose your own sources. It's not as focused on the same topic, but all the topics/sources I have already chosen. I also have Flipboard on my phone that does a similar thing, but mobile and spiffy.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I'll ever stop having a regular old newspaper on the weekend, but it seems like there is a lot of waste. I always chuck the Sports section and usually the Travel. It would be nice to pick the sections you want, but have the paper!
All good points Chava, Karen and Steven. I like the idea of picking the parts of the paper that you want to read kind of creating your own custom newspaper. (I'd pick the Comics, Travel, and the sales ads. Lol). I also like the idea of seeing a story from different perspectives. This would be critical in the context of elections, as Chava mentioned. However, this could be quite exhaustive if one were to view all perspectives on a story all the time. In this information age we have to have a filter for the quantity and quality of information we consume. Its great to have tools that allow us to get multiple perspectives so that we can draw our own conclusions. While it can be nice to read only the stories, journalists, or newspapers we like, it is important to also expose ourselves to that which we don't naturally gravitate to. Sounds like Google News helps do this.
ReplyDeleteGreat points Karen, Steven and Janelle. Thanks for taking the time to read my blog.
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