Searching the Web

1. understanding the web
2. searching the web
3. evaluating web sites
4. citing web sources
5. other resources

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I.  Understanding the Web

What is the Internet? 

Exercise

1. Learn the jargon.   Give definitions for hypertext, listserv, GIF and FTP
2. History of the Net.  Name the first experimental wide-area network--a precursor to the Internet--which was established in the late 60s
3. Netiquette.   Investigate the terms "flaming" and "spam"
4. Learn the tools.  Determine what browser software you are using, what version, and where to get an updated version?

Sources

• LEARN THE NET Home Page
• What is the Internet, the World Wide Web, and Netscape? 
• Glossary of Internet & Web Jargon
• WhatIs.com

II. Searching the Web

I'm feeling lucky...

Exercise

1. What are the 5 steps in the recommended search strategy as outlined in Search Strategies with Peripheral Vision.
2. Go to LII - Recommended Search Tools
   Type a keyword search into both Google and Vivisimo or Ixquick
   Compare results.
3. What is the I'm feeling lucky button for on Google?  What is Google Local?  What is Google Scholar?  
   Find a restaurant in your city.  Find a research article on French Canadian cuisine.
4. Discuss  the main differences/similarities between Search Engines and Subject Directories.
5. What kind of search tool 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
6. What is the Invisible web and how do you access it? Provide an example of a searchable database.

Sources

• Search Strategies Search with Peripheral Vision
• Three Families or Types of Search Tools

    Indexes   

• Search Engines  (U Berkeley. Internet Guides)
• Google and Google tools and Google hacks
• lii.org Recommended Search Tools

    Subject Directories and other starting points  

• Subject Directories
• Librarians' Index to the Internet - lii.org
• Canadian Information By Subject
• LRC Educational Links

The Invisible web   

• http://www.marylaine.com/hidden.html
• the "Invisible Web" (U. Berkeley.  Internet Guides)
• ProFusion - The Original Meta-Search Engine Search hundreds of specialized search engines and databases

Specialty sites, blogs, syndicated news 

• http://slashdot.org   
• http://www.lisnews.com
• http://www.newsisfree.com
• http://technorati.com
• Mike's News Feeds
• LRC Blog

Search Techniques & Tips

• Create separate folders in your Bookmarks or Favourites, but no more than 9.
• When you know what it's called use a search engine
• When you don't know what it is, or when you are doing a broad search use a subject directory
• Use simple operators to quickly narrow your search. ( +, - , AND ,OR, NOT , " ")
• Be as specific and complete as you can in selecting keywords.
• Use common descriptors or page title information as keywords  ("kpr home page")
• Cut and paste your search terms into different search tools.
• Use your right button.
• Abandon unproductive search terms early in your search.
• Know your search engines.
• Evaluate your sources.

Follow-up Search Exercises

What Search Tool would you use?  What search terms?

• Search for UN School Library Manifesto.
• Historical Map of the County of Peterborough
• What concerts are scheduled in December in my area?
• Picture of a dog sled race, an Iroquois, or a Vermeer painting.
• Information on the teen who landed in jail for his violent monologue– Twisted
• Freedom of Information Act or Canadian Constitution.
• Ethics of cloning humans
• Get a MARC record for Griffin and Sabine or any other title.
• Where is Vanuatu? Map of the country? Population?
• Quality articles/information about Viagra , Valium, Fibromyalgia, Smoking, or Alternative medicine (choose one)
• Who is Jean Arp? What movement did he belong to? Name other members.
• Phone number of distant relative.

III.  Evaluating Web sites

Exercise

1. Read the Five W's of Cyberspace.
2. Select a web site to evaluate
3. Go to Evaluating Web Pages Experience Why It's Important  Use handout to evaluate the website 
4. Go to ICYouSee- T is for Thinking and Answer a Quiz

Sources

• The Web as a Research Tool- Evaluation Techniques | Teaching Backgrounder
• Evaluating Web Pages- Why and How 
• Online Information- Fact or Fiction?
• Internet Detective
• ICYouSee- T is for Thinking
• Five W's of Cyberspace

IV.  Citing Web Sources

How to reference web pages

Author (if none, list company or website owner).  "Page title" (use title as found in application title bar ).  Pub Date.  Source.  Date accessed.  Web address.

E.g.
MLA style: Harris, Robert. "Evaluating Internet Research Sources." 17 November 1997. Online. Internet. [Put here the date you read or printed this page]. Available WWW: http://www.virtualsalt.com/evalu8it.htm

APA style: Harris, Robert (1997). Evaluating Internet research sources. [Online]. Available WWW: http://www.virtualsalt.com/evalu8it.htm

V. Other resources

Tutorials

• UCB Finding Information on the Internet: A Tutorial
• The Interactive Search Engine Tutorial
• Learning about the Internet  LibraryNet.  National Library of Canada
• 2Learn.ca list of Online tutorials
• ICYouSee
• Search Strategies Search with Peripheral Vision

Test Yourself

Test Your Net IQ

Solve the Puzzle

Teaching the Web

Web Awareness Canada
This is the premier site for teaching web awareness to students.  Up to date and comprehensive. For Parents, Teachers and Librarians.  Includes tutorials, essays, interactive lessons, and handouts.

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Author: Johan Ragetli, October 2004

Last updated: July 15, 2005