by Linda Lungren | Patrick Garcia | Lona Davies | Matt Rhoades Modified by Melanie Willis Klein ISD Footprints in the Sand: A Primer for Surfing the Net

Introduction Task Process Resources EvaluationConclusion During this lesson you are going to learn the basics of "surfing the net". By the end of this lesson, you will become an "expert" and will be able to share that skill with others. There's much to learn on the "net", but you must be able to find your way around.

Task IntroductionTask ProcessResources Evaluation Conclusion During this lesson you learn: how to use and/or add a bookmark what colored, underlined printing means on a page how to use the special buttons at the top of the computer screen how to get back and forth in Internet Explorer how to do a search on your topic how to gather information by exploring hot links

Resources IntroductionTask ProcessResources Evaluation Conclusion All you need for this activity is a computer on the internet and your question/answer sheet. Please feel free to take notes if you wish. You can always return to this PowerPoint to review any navigation skills. Make sure you have a copy of the question/answer sheet before you begin.

Process IntroductionTask ProcessResources Evaluation Conclusion You will work by yourself. You will be given several tasks which will take you to interesting oceanography pages. After you complete each task, you will return to this PowerPoint. You will read your next instruction which will guide you to another oceanography site. Have fun! It's like an oceanography treasure hunt. You might even learn a little oceanography as you navigate around the "web".

Surf's Up, Dude--Time to Begin!!

Task #1: Scrolling Task #1 Question: Where are most spiny lobsters found? Click on this link: (Read these instructions first to find the answer.) Look at the bars on the side. Can you see arrows on the top and bottom? Do you see a little box inside the bar? If the bar is gray, it means there is too much information to fit on one screen. Try clicking on the top arrow, clicking on the bottom arrow, or sliding the little box (elevator) up and down. Sometimes you may also need to use the left and right arrows at the bottom of the screen to see the entire page. Scroll to the “Ecology” section to find information to answer Question 1. When you are finished, don't forget to go back to Task #2.

Task #2: Bookmarks Task # 2 Question: What is the name of question #1 bookmark? (Read these instructions first to find the answer.) You've used a bookmark before when you read a library book. It holds your place so you know where you are. We use bookmarks to hold our place on the web, also. This website will be an important page for you to return to throughout this lesson. The best way to find this page is to set a bookmark. Click on this link again: Look at the menu bar at the VERY top of this page. Do you see the word “Favorites“ or a star? Use your mouse and click on the Favorite button. All of the words underneath are bookmarks for this computer. Do you see the name for this lesson already in the list? If so, you're set. If not, click on the "Add" button and you will see the name of this lesson added to the bottom of your bookmark list. If you ever get lost, go to the bookmarked website.

Task #3: Hot Links Task #3 Question: What kind of fish did you see on this hot link page? (Read these instructions first to find the answer.) When you see underlined words in a different color, you are looking at hot links. When you move your arrow cursor over those words, notice that the cursor changes into a hand. When you click on the colored, underlined words with your cursor hand, it links you (sends you) to a page with new information. Click on these colored, underlined words and see what happens. Use Method #1 to return.Click on these colored, underlined words

Task #4: Traffic Jams Task #4 Question: Describe what two pictures you saw on this link. (Read these instructions first to find the answer.) There is information to let you know the computer is searching. You must learn to be patient. Remember, there are millions of people searching the net every day at the same time. Are you searching during the middle of "rush hour"? Some computers work faster than others--at your site or at the site you are visiting. Be patient. There are clues to let you know your computer is searching. Sometimes the flag in the right hand corner waves. Sometimes you will see a bar at the bottom of the page showing percentages or giving you other information. While you are waiting, look at the special information you can see all over the screen. Click on this hot link and notice the information you will see on the screen.hot link

Task #5: Viewing a Movie Task #5 Question: What was JJ doing in the movie? (Read these instructions first to find the answer.) Sometimes you can view a movie. Put on your headset. Click on this hot link to view a movie of JJ when he was at Seaworld. Don't forget to click on "Back" to return to this page when you are finished. (If you have any problems with the movie, let your teacher know and continue with the lesson.)hot link

Task #6: Help, I'm stuck! Task #6 Question: What should you do if you try to go to a site that is busy? (Follow these instructions to find the answer.) Sometimes this happens--you're stuck and can't get out. You may get an error message. Click "OK" and find a new place to explore. You may get a busy signal. Just click "OK" and find a new place or come back later. It's not your fault. There are many things that can happen and you don't need to understand every little problem--pages move, pages become corrupt, pages disappear. Just click "OK" and find a new place to explore.

Task #7: Searching for Information Task #7 Question: What does the beluga whale like to eat? Check more than one site to see if the answers are similar. Sometimes you find a page or site that allows you to search for a word or topic. Let's be a detective and search for information about "beluga whales". You will be looking for information to answer that question. Look at your worksheet. Try the Shortcut Searching Method. Click on:

Evaluation IntroductionTask ProcessResources Evaluation Conclusion Were you able to answer all the questions on your worksheet? If so, I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun exploring the World Wide Web of information.

Conclusion IntroductionTask ProcessResources Evaluation Conclusion Wasn't it fun exploring this lesson and finding things about oceanography? You can tell there are many interesting things to learn while "surfing the net". Maybe you can help a friend, your parent, or even your teacher while you explore the many interesting parts of the web.