Teaching Using the Internet in Your Classroom

Search Engines Types of Search Engines The Search Engine: Used to search for specific information using keyword searches to search its database. The Subject Guide Information Index: Used for searching general topics, this engine uses a set of topic menus and sub-menus The Metasearch Site: This search engine sends a search to a number of search engines to search their databases for the information requested.

Simple Searching Rules Use the word AND when you want information about two or more key words together. Some search sites may use the + symbol instead. Example: chickens and eggs OR chickens +eggs Use the word NOT when you want information about one key word and no information about the other. Some search sites may use the - symbol instead. Example: chickens not eggs OR chickens -eggs Use quotation marks around the names of people, places, or a phrase. This makes sure that the words appear right next to each other in the web site Example: Chicken eggs To help find a picture of something, type in image: (what you are looking for) Example: image: chicken To find a definition of a word, type in define: (what you want defined) Example: define: chicken

Blogs A blog (or weblog) is a website in which items are posted on a regular basis and displayed with the newest at the top.

RSS RSS (Really Simple Syndication) are web feeds provide web content or summaries of web content together with links to the full versions of the content

WIKI The term wiki is a shortened form of wiki wiki which is from the native language of Hawaii, where it is commonly used as an adjective to denote something "quick" or "fast".

Podcasting Podcasting is the distribution of audio or video files, such as radio programs or music videos, over the Internet for listening on mobile devices and personal computers. Podcasting's essence is about creating content (audio or video) for an audience that wants to listen when they want, where they want, and how they want.

Lab 1 : Searching Lab Complete Lab 1 on the Lab Handout sheet

5 Criteria for Evaluating Web Pages 1. Accuracy of Web Documents 2. Authority of Web Documents 3. Objectivity of Web Documents 4. Currency of Web Documents 5. Coverage of the Web Document

Accuracy of Web Documents Can you tell who the author is? Is there an address to contact that person? What is the purpose of the document and why was it produced? Is the person qualified to write on the subject? Author/Webmaster?

Authority of Web Documents Is the publisher listed or is it the webmaster? Does the publisher list their credentials? Is the domain of the site valid and coincide with the information?.com,.org,.gov,.edu,.net

Objectivity of Web Documents Does the page meet its goals and objectives? Is the information detailed Are the opinions expressed biased? Is the page cluttered with advertising? Is the audience appropriate for the information?

Currency of Web Documents When was the page produced? When was it last updated? Was it within the last 6 months? How up to date are the links? Is the information on the page outdated?

Coverage of the Web Document Are the links evaluated and do they complement the main document? Images and text in balance Is the information properly cited on the page? If the page requires special software for viewing are you missing a lot of info without it Does the author provide the software? Is it free or is there a fee to obtain the software?

Web Page Evaluation Sheet Accuracy Who wrote the site? Can you contact the person? Is the author listed or just the webmaster? Authority Who published the document? What institution published the document? Qualifications listed? Objectivity Does the page meet its goals/objectives? How detailed is the information provided? Is the authors information biased? Is the page a full of advertising? Currency When was it produced? When was it last updated? Are the links updated? Do links work? Coverage Do links complement theme? Are the images and text well balanced? Is the information properly cited? = Lowest 5= Highest

Examples of Citing Web Resources MLA Style General: Lastname, Firstname. Article Title. Site Name. Article date. Organization Name. Date of access With Author Doe, John. Chicken Eggs. John Does Chicken Eggs. 10 May JD Chicken Eggs Inc. 15 Jan With no author and no page date Chicken Eggs. Eggs and Chickens. JD Chicken Eggs Inc. 15 Jan Citing From a Web site Database like InfoTrac Lastname, Firstname. Article Title. Periodical Name. Periodical Date: Page numbers. Database Name. Date of access

LAB 2: Evaluating Web Pages Complete Lab 2 on the Lab Handout sheet

Teaching Information Literacy Skills Teaching Literacy Skills can be taught by a series of skills 1.Know when there is a need for information to solve a problem or develop an idea. (Comprehension) 2. Find and identify information needed (Comprehension/Analysis) 3. Analyze the information found (Analysis and Evaluation) 4. Organize the information (Application) 5. Use the information effectively to address the problem or task (Synthesis) 6. Communicate information and evaluate results (Application and Evaluation)

LAB 3: Information Literacy Skills Activity Plan Complete Lab 3 on the Lab Handout sheet

Develop Internet Safe Lessons Once you have taught the techniques of and skills of searching and analyzing information to students, you can begin using the Internet in your lessons Tips for developing Internet safe lessons 1. Never start lessons by having students only use search engines 2.Require students to find very specific information, not just surf 3.Always require students to write down the URLs of sites they use for reports in a bibliography format 4. Dont send the entire class to the same site at the same time 5. Try to preview sites before students visit them

LAB 4: Internet-Safe Lesson Complete Lab 4 on the Lab Handout sheet