Chapter 5.11 - Impacts of CS Web Searches
Time Estimate: 135 minutes
5.11.1. Introduction and Goals
Learning Objectives: I will learn to
describe the algorithm Google uses to return search results
identify factors that affect web searches
describe how web search results may not be trustworthy
Language Objectives: I will be able to
describe risks to privacy from collecting and storing personal data on a computer system
discuss positive and negative impacts of how search trends are used to predict information
use target vocabulary, such as search, trend, and captcha while describing web searches, with the support of concept definitions and vocabulary notes from this lesson
5.11.2. Learning Activities
Chapter 4: Needles in the Haystack — Google and Other Brokers in the Bits Bazaar
This chapter describes web searches and how searching is done. It focuses on Google and how the Google phenomenon has evolved and changed our lives. Some of the topics covered in the reading include how Google searches work, caching, the PageRank algorithm, bias in searches, and search trends.
Activity: K-W-L Chart
Before reading the chapter, consider the following questions and complete the Know and Want columns of the K-W-L chart. Share and discuss your responses with your classmates.
What do you notice about your own internet searches?
What search engines have you tried?
Does Google predict your searches?
If you use another search engine besides Google, do you get the same results?
Which search engine is "right"? Which is "better"?
Then watch the video below on the evolution of search and read the following sections of Chapter 4 of Blown to Bits and this page on Human Computation and Captchas. As you watch and read, complete the Learned column of your K-W-L chart.
Found After Seventy Years, pg. 109-110
It Matters How It Works, pg. 120-138
Search is Power, pg. 145-151 (up to the heading Search Engines Don't See Everything)
Activity: 5.11.2.1 YouTube (mTBShTwCnD4)
Activity: Google Trends
Google Trends (trends.google.com) provides charts that show how often a particular term is searched across the world. Take a look at the chart below. What do the horizontal and vertical axis represent? Why do you think there is a large peak at one time of the year and a low point at another? Hint: Look carefully at the dates.
Read this article from Wired magazine, "What We Can Learn From the Epic Failure of Google Flu Trends". As you read, think about why the flu trends failed, including any assumptions about their data or their model.
5.11.3. Summary
In this lesson, you learned how to:
Learning Objective DAT-2.D: Extract information from data using a program.
Search tools are useful for efficiently finding information.
Learning Objective IOC-2.A: Describe the risks to privacy from collecting and storing personal data on a computer system.
Search engines can record and maintain a history of searches made by users.
Search engines can use search history to suggest websites or for targeted marketing.
5.11.4. Still Curious?
Captchas were briefly mentioned on pg. 148 as one way of harnessing the power of many users. Read more about them at captcha.net. What might be some of the problems with captchas for users with vision impairments? Do reCaptchas solve that problem?
Search algorithms are not the only ones where bias may appear. Other algorithms, such as those used for facial recognition, may demonstrate the unconscious biases of those writing the algorithms. Learn more by watching Joy Buolamwini's TED Talk on how she is fighting bias in algorithms.
5.11.5. Reflection: For Your Portfolio
Answer the following portfolio reflection questions as directed by your instructor. Questions are also available in this Google Doc where you may use File/Make a Copy to make your own editable copy.
Keep these questions in mind as you read chapter 4.
How do web search tools make it more efficient to find information?
When you type a word or phrase into the Google search engine, what is the search algorithm that is being used? Explain in your own words the process used by Google's search engine.
What is a captcha? How has the collective efforts of Internet users contributed to analyzing images through captchas?
"The architecture of human knowledge has changed as a result of search." Do you agree? Explain your reasoning.
What are the differences between Figures 4.10 and Figure 4.11 in the book? Why are there differences even though they are both a Google search results page?
How do you think mobile computing might have influenced web searches?
Would you retain your search history or delete it? Why?
Should a researcher place absolute trust in a search engine? Why or why not?
The authors claim "search is a new form of control over information" (p. 111) and "search is power" (p. 145). Why might it be important to talk about the social implications of searching on the Internet?
How have search trends been used to predict information? What are the positive and negative impacts of using trends to make predictions?
Find and read an article about web searches or algorithms. Write a 3-4 paragraph summary of the article. Include the author's name, the title of the article, the date it was published, and a link to the article.
Portfolio Reflection Questions
Make a copy of this document in your Portfolio Assignments folder and answer these questions in the spaces below. Once complete, turn in this assignment according to the steps given by your teacher.
5.11 Impacts of CS: Web Searches Curriculum Page
Keep these questions in mind as you read chapter 4. For each question, write a short answer and post your answers on a page called Blown to Bits, Chapter 4 on your portfolio. Don't worry if you think you don't know the right answer. Just give it your best shot:
1. How do web search tools make it more efficient to find information?
2. When you type a word or phrase into the Google search engine, what is the search algorithm that is being used? Explain in your own words the process used by Google's search engine.
3. What is a captcha? How has the collective efforts of Internet users contributed to analyzing images through captchas?
4. "The architecture of human knowledge has changed as a result of search." Do you agree? Explain your reasoning.
5. What are the differences between Figures 4.10 and Figure 4.11 in the book? Why are there differences even though they are both a Google search results page?
6. How do you think mobile computing might have influenced web searches?
7. Would you retain your search history or delete it? Why?
8. Should a researcher place absolute trust in a search engine? Why or why not?
9. The authors claim "search is a new form of control over information" (p. 111) and "search is power" (p. 145). Why might it be important to talk about the social implications of searching on the Internet?
10. How have search trends been used to predict information? What are the positive and negative impacts of using trends to make predictions?
11. Find and read an article about web searches or algorithms. Write a 3-4 paragraph summary of the article. Include the author's name, the title of the article, the date it was published, and a link to the article.
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