internet research for elementary students

Internet Research

Keywords

&

Website Evaluation

Where do you start?

Begin with a

search engine

designed for kids…

You will save yourself a lot of TIME and FRUSTRATION sifting through information

that’s written for adults.

What's your favorite search engine?

Webpath Express (Destiny)

Safe Search

Sweet Search

Kid Rex (Google for kids)

Google (Blackle to save energy)

Using Keywords

Your teacher has asked you to find out if the element mercury is toxic.

Enter "mercury" Write down # of hits

Enter "mercury" & "element." Write down # of hits.

Enter "mercury" & "element" & "toxic." Write down # of hits.

Compare the number of websites retrieved

for each search. What does that tell you about how the

search engine works.

Using Synonyms

You want to find out about living on the planet Mars.

What search terms would you use?

"Mars" "planet" "living"Write down the number of hits.

Now try "Mars" "planet" "colonizing"

Write down the number of hits.

Website Vocabulary

Rate (verb) - to assign a value or score to something

Research - to collect information about a topic (eWISE research model)

Bookmarks or home screen icons - shortcuts on your computer that allows you to easily visit a site again.

Dead Links - linked sites on a website that no longer work.

Navigate - to move around and find your way.

How do you decide which websites to use

for your research?

Ask this question.

Who, What, When?

Who - who created this site? Has anyone already evaluated it? What are their credentials? What makes them an expert? Can you trust them?

What? - What kind of information is on the site? Will it help you answer your questions?

When? - How long has it been since the website was updated? Is the information still accurate?

Score these websites on North Carolina using the form Mrs.

Behrend “chirps” to your iPAd or just click on the link above if you

do not have an iPad.

http://ncpedia.org/

http://www.visitnc.com

Your turn…

1. Use the search engine Mrs. B assigns your group.

2. Find a new site about NC.

3. Rate it using your form on your iPad or with this link.

4. Switch (leave your computer and iPad and travel to a new group).

5. Rate their website using the same form.