Internet Training for 9-OAC

 

what is the Internet | the tools | searching | research | other tutorials

Elementary version   Back to LRC Search page

SECONDARY

The following guide was designed to assist Internet educators in teaching secondary students how to effectively use the Internet .  There is an elementary and a secondary version.  Many of the sources listed are required for the lessons, others are listed as alternative examples which could be used in a follow-up exercise.  Following the exercises here will provide a fairly comprehensive introduction to the Internet, how to search it and how to evaluate the information found there.  Some of the links provided also point to sites where there is a complete module or interactive tutorial.  Finally, the links are reliable and authoritative sources and therefore provide an excellent starting point for doing any research on the Internet.

What is the Internet?

Exercise.    Using any of the following sources

  1. Give definitions for hypertext, listserv, GIF and ISP
  2. Name  the first experimental wide-area network--a precursor to the Internet--which was established in the late 60s
  3. Investigate the terms "flaming" and "spam"

Sources:


The Tools

Exercise.

  1. Determine what browser software you are using, what version, and where to get an updated version?
  2. Review ICYouSee How you can find anything
  3. Go to the Tables: Five types of Recommended Search Tools and review the tables for Search Engines and Subject Directories

Sources:


Searching

Exercise.

  1. What are the 5 steps in the recommended search strategy as outlined in Finding Information on the Internet
  2. Go to LII - Best search engines  Type a keyword search into both Google and Alta Vista.  Compare results. What is the I'm feeling lucky button for on Google?
  3. Discuss  the main differences/similarities between Search Engines and Subject Directories.
  4. Visit each of the Subject Directories below and determine whether these sites would be good starting points for finding information  a) for a research project  b) on getting a job  c)  on local history d)  on a favourite band
  5. What is the Invisible web and how do you access it? Provide an example of a searchable database.

Sources:

    Subject Directories

 


Research on the Web.   Critical thinking & Evaluating sources

Academic research on the web should be carried out with same preparation that is required for any school project. 

" Teacher-librarians have found that students learn best when schools adopt a consistent inquiry and research model across all grades and disciplines within a consistent information studies curriculum from grade to grade.

The Ontario School Library Association believes strongly that such a model should be central to all curricular documents. The OSLA has studied the wide range of literature and research in the field of information science and information studies, and has identified four stages which are common to all models:

Preparing for Research (e.g., defining question)
Accessing Resources (e.g., locating information)
Processing Information (e.g., evaluating information)
Transferring Learning (e.g. presenting information) "

(Information Studies:K-12. Ontario Library Association. 1999 
URL   http://www.accessola.org/market/index.html)

  Exercise.  

  1. Prepare for research by identifying your topic and listing a few terms that best describe it.  Create a folder in your bookmarks file on the topic. (Example topics: best city in your province to live in, books on astronomy, unusual musical instruments, native folklore, vegetarian recipes for kids)
  2. Locate information using various search tools-- e.g. search engines, subject directories.  Input your search terms from step 1.
  3. Evaluate your results and select the best resources based on currency, authority, relevancy, presentation and coverage.  (Check evaluation criteria from any of the sources below. ) Add these sites to your folder in your bookmarks file.
  4. Read and complete the module from either Evaluating Web Resources  or from  ICYouSee T is for Thinking.

Sources:


Tutorials

 


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Page created by Johan Ragetli, Library Information Analyst, Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board.
Last update: May, 2002