To me, the most mind-blowing thing from this class is the fact that Google Docs can generate footnotes and citations FOR YOU when you insert a website link. After I learned that, I could automatically see my future students' lives becomming easier when citing sources. Not only do you have to go over Purdue Owl anymore (sweeeet!), your students won't have to struggle understanding how to format citations or with dealing with citation machine that will absolutely kill their battery life
This being said, it is equally as important to teach your students what proper sources look like. This citation tool on Google Docs should NOT be used willy nilly for any website, students must understand how to find proper sources. To do this easily, you must teach your students about "site:" when using google. This gives them the ability to search for credible sources, while at the same time giving them good sources to use in their research.
Hi Devan! This was amazing - I had no idea a Google Document could create its own citations and footnotes either! This does seem like a helpful tool.
ReplyDeleteInitially, my thought was, "Isn't it important for students to learn how to cite sources themselves?" After reflecting a bit more though, this does seem like one of the "old basics" of education that might not be as relevant for students to memorize today. After all, when are they going to have to know how to cite something without the help of the internet? Even when I cite my sources, I always look up the format online. This just expedites the process and allows more time to research, write, and think critically about what they are studying.
I thought the refined Google search tool using "site:" was amazing too. Thanks so much for sharing!
- Stephanie Melton