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Exploring young children's web searching and technoliteracy

Amanda Spink (Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia)
Susan Danby (Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia)
Kerry Mallan (Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia)
Carly Butler (Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia)

Journal of Documentation

ISSN: 0022-0418

Article publication date: 9 March 2010

3195

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to report findings from an exploratory study investigating the web interactions and technoliteracy of children in the early childhood years. Previous research has studied aspects of older children's technoliteracy and web searching; however, few studies have analyzed web search data from children younger than six years of age.

Design/methodology/approach

The study explored the Google web searching and technoliteracy of young children who are enrolled in a “preparatory classroom” or kindergarten (the year before young children begin compulsory schooling in Queensland, Australia). Young children were video‐ and audio‐taped while conducting Google web searches in the classroom. The data were qualitatively analysed to understand the young children's web search behaviour.

Findings

The findings show that young children engage in complex web searches, including keyword searching and browsing, query formulation and reformulation, relevance judgments, successive searches, information multitasking and collaborative behaviours. The study results provide significant initial insights into young children's web searching and technoliteracy.

Practical implications

The use of web search engines by young children is an important research area with implications for educators and web technologies developers.

Originality/value

This is the first study of young children's interaction with a web search engine.

Keywords

Citation

Spink, A., Danby, S., Mallan, K. and Butler, C. (2010), "Exploring young children's web searching and technoliteracy", Journal of Documentation, Vol. 66 No. 2, pp. 191-206. https://doi.org/10.1108/00220411011023616

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2010, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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