searching the world wide web “the computer as an educational tool: productivity and problem...
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Searching the Searching the World Wide WebWorld Wide Web
““The Computer as an Educational Tool: The Computer as an Educational Tool:
Productivity and Problem Solving”Productivity and Problem Solving” ©©Richard C. Forcier and Don E. DescyRichard C. Forcier and Don E. Descy
TopicsTopics
Why search the Web?Why search the Web? Types of search toolsTypes of search tools Search strategiesSearch strategies ConclusionsConclusions
Why use the Web?Why use the Web?
Large amount of informationLarge amount of information Instant accessInstant access Up-to-dateUp-to-date
Problems Using the WebProblems Using the Web
Much information is not reviewed.Much information is not reviewed. Only a small percentage Only a small percentage
catalogedcataloged Difficult to accessDifficult to access Questionable qualityQuestionable quality Paid search positionsPaid search positions
Types of Search ToolsTypes of Search Tools
Search enginesSearch engines DirectoriesDirectories Meta-search enginesMeta-search engines
Search Engines (1)Search Engines (1)
Index of Web site wordsIndex of Web site words SpiderSpider or or robotrobot software gathers software gathers
site information. site information. Usually not hand checked: May Usually not hand checked: May
have dead linkshave dead links Keyword and Boolean searchesKeyword and Boolean searches
Search Engines (2)Search Engines (2)
Examples: Lycos, Excite, Snap, Examples: Lycos, Excite, Snap, Alta VistaAlta Vista
May have option for filtered May have option for filtered “child friendly” search“child friendly” search
Search their database onlySearch their database only
DirectoriesDirectories
Logical arrangement by subject Logical arrangement by subject or categoryor category
Usually with some human helpUsually with some human help Example: Yahoo, NetscapeExample: Yahoo, Netscape Younger students: YahooligansYounger students: Yahooligans Search their database onlySearch their database only
Meta-search EnginesMeta-search Engines
Search other search enginesSearch other search engines Very superficial search (perhaps Very superficial search (perhaps
10% of desired sites)10% of desired sites) MetaCrawler, DogPile, Ixquick, MetaCrawler, DogPile, Ixquick,
MetorMetor
Search Strategies: Boolean LogicSearch Strategies: Boolean Logic
Uses: ‘Uses: ‘andand’ ‘’ ‘notnot’ ‘ ’ ‘ ( )( )’ ‘’ ‘**’ ’ What will the results be for the following What will the results be for the following
searches?searches?
school scienceschool science
school and scienceschool and science
school not scienceschool not science
(school science)(school science)
school*school*
Search: school scienceSearch: school science
Search: school scienceSearch: school science
Outcome: All sites in database Outcome: All sites in database containing school and sciencecontaining school and science
Search: school and scienceSearch: school and science
Search: school and scienceSearch: school and science
Outcome: All sites in database Outcome: All sites in database containing both school and sciencecontaining both school and science
Search: school not scienceSearch: school not science
Search: school not scienceSearch: school not science
Outcome: All sites in database Outcome: All sites in database containing school but not sciencecontaining school but not science
Search: (school science)Search: (school science)
Search: (school science)Search: (school science)
Outcome: All sites in database Outcome: All sites in database containing phrase “school science”containing phrase “school science”
Search: school*Search: school*
Search: school*Search: school*
Outcome: All sites in database containing Outcome: All sites in database containing word starting with “school...word starting with “school...””
Other OptionsOther Options
““school” will find all sites in school” will find all sites in database containing “school”database containing “school”
““School” will find only sites in School” will find only sites in database with initial uppercase database with initial uppercase SchoolSchool
Some use other connectors: & + =Some use other connectors: & + =
Be Sure to READ the Be Sure to READ the Search Site Search Site
“How to..” Page“How to..” Page
Last-Minute HintsLast-Minute Hints
Read the “How to Search” Read the “How to Search” document on the sitedocument on the site
Use multiple search sitesUse multiple search sites Remember that some sites pay Remember that some sites pay
for placementfor placement Always presearch: Never search Always presearch: Never search
for the first time in a classfor the first time in a class
Questions?Questions?