1. The Internet versus the Reference Section The answers are out there…

2. Looking For Information  The Internet is a valuable source of information but so are books and people.  There are advantages and disadvantages to using any of these resources.  No matter where you search for information, you have to know what you’re doing.  The Internet is a valuable source of information but so are books and people.  There are advantages and disadvantages to using any of these resources.  No matter where you search for information, you have to know what you’re doing.

3. So you are looking for some answers… Where do you go? Well, you have several options…

4. Option 1: The Internet  Lots of resources are available to help you find your answers.  Easy and fast if you know what you’re doing and have a fast connection.  Can get information on very recent events, even in “real time”.  Thanks to fast developing technology, you don’t always have to be on a computer terminal or laptop.  Lots of resources are available to help you find your answers.  Easy and fast if you know what you’re doing and have a fast connection.  Can get information on very recent events, even in “real time”.  Thanks to fast developing technology, you don’t always have to be on a computer terminal or laptop.

5. Option 1: The Internet  Too many website choices can get confusing.  There is a lot of “junk” out there so you need to be aware of what is good and what is not.  If you are not careful on how you search, you might end up on some inappropriate websites.  If you have a slow connection or an old computer, surfing the web can be frustrating.  Too many website choices can get confusing.  There is a lot of “junk” out there so you need to be aware of what is good and what is not.  If you are not careful on how you search, you might end up on some inappropriate websites.  If you have a slow connection or an old computer, surfing the web can be frustrating.

6. Option 2: The Library  Always there! No need to worry about connections, taking up bandwidth or a power outage.  Librarians are there to help you.  Lots of different places to check and double check your answers.  Always there! No need to worry about connections, taking up bandwidth or a power outage.  Librarians are there to help you.  Lots of different places to check and double check your answers.

7. Option 2: The Library  Can be confusing if you don’t know your way around the library.  Some books can be out of date or in poor condition.  You are not allowed to take certain books out of the library. So you will have to do most of your work in the library.  Can be confusing if you don’t know your way around the library.  Some books can be out of date or in poor condition.  You are not allowed to take certain books out of the library. So you will have to do most of your work in the library.

8. Option 3: People  People know lots of things! After all, who writes the books? People!  Eyewitnesses can give you a unique insight into an event or situation.  Experts can give you more recent and interesting information on the topic they have mastered.  People are often willing to share their knowledge with others.  People know lots of things! After all, who writes the books? People!  Eyewitnesses can give you a unique insight into an event or situation.  Experts can give you more recent and interesting information on the topic they have mastered.  People are often willing to share their knowledge with others.

9. Option 3: People  People can tell you the wrong things…especially when they don’t know the material.  People (like books) may have obsolete information.  People have their biases. They may tell you what they think is the right answer.  People can tell you the wrong things…especially when they don’t know the material.  People (like books) may have obsolete information.  People have their biases. They may tell you what they think is the right answer.

10. Okay, now you know your options… Let’s look at the resources.

11. The Library Resources  Dictionaries  Thesaurus  Atlas  Encyclopedia  Magazines/ Newspapers  Almanacs  Specialized Reference Books

12. For your safety and to maximize your time in the library and computer lab, the teachers recommend the following websites for your initial research.

13. Recommended Online Reference Resources

14. If you can’t find what you are looking for on one of these websites, then you should use a search engine.

15. What is a search engine? A Web search engine is a tool designed to search for information on the World Wide Web. The search results are usually presented in a list and are commonly called hits. The information may consist of web pages, images, information and other types of files. A Web search engine is a tool designed to search for information on the World Wide Web. The search results are usually presented in a list and are commonly called hits. The information may consist of web pages, images, information and other types of files.

16. Recommended Search Engines

17. “wiki” means coming from many websites or sources… “pedia” is a shortened version of encyclopedia… Put them together and you have… Which literally means “information from many sources”. Wikipedia

18. Wikipedia Is Cool…But Not Perfect  You can pretty much find the answer to anything on Wikipedia.  Anyone can edit a Wikipedia article.  Wikipedia is not always fact- checked as the more established encyclopedia generally are.

19. Case in point…

20. Does ISK have a cricket team?

21. A small error…but an error nonetheless.

22. Okay, so know you know where to go…so let’s go there!  Where would you find the answer to the following question?  How would you go about searching for your answer?

23. Who is the current president of Nigeria? Where would you start looking for the answer? Why?

24. Discuss among yourselves

25. Step One: Identify the key words. Who is the current president of Nigeria? Key words are words that you can use to start your search. Sometimes a question will have many key words. Sometimes a question will have only one or two. president current Nigeria Who is the

26. Step Two: Identify your sources. Who is the current president of Nigeria? Should you go to the encyclopedia? Why or why not? Should you go to the Internet? Which website? If you use the Internet, how would you know if the website was reliable?

27. Good Hunting! And remember…the answers are out there!