The Filter Bubble

A few weeks ago, I finished reading Eli Pariser's book, The Filter Bubble. Eli strives to inform the pubic about the value of their personal data in cyberspace. We dole out personal data each day when we click, search, and purchase on the web.

All of the "free" services that we use harvest personal information, making us targets for personalized advertisements and messages.

Further, the information that is delivered to us serves to reinforce our existing tastes, beliefs, and ideas. For example, the books recommended to me on Amazon typically echo the same topics and concepts I have already explored and liked.

If the Internet is controlling the content that is first and foremost in my stream of information, then the likelihood of accessing dissenting information/literature/books/blog posts is handicapped.

I need to be aware of my personal biases and seek out information in a non-biased way.

Our students are being raised in this environment. We need to teach them to search and surf beyond their "comfort zone." We need to help them identify reliable sources that represent different types of viewpoints.

Teaching students how to search and evaluate is critical. It should be a part of "how we do business" in our classrooms. Pop the filter bubble.