1. Searching the World Wide Web “The Computer as an Educational Tool: Productivity and Problem Solving” © Richard C. Forcier and Don E. Descy

2. Topics Why search the Web? Why search the Web? Types of search tools Types of search tools Search strategies Search strategies Conclusions Conclusions

3. Why use the Web? Large amount of information Large amount of information Instant access Instant access Up-to-date Up-to-date

4. Problems Using the Web Much information is not reviewed. Much information is not reviewed. Only a small percentage cataloged Only a small percentage cataloged Difficult to access Difficult to access Questionable quality Questionable quality Paid search positions Paid search positions

5. Types of Search Tools Search engines Search engines Directories Directories Meta-search engines Meta-search engines

6. Search Engines (1) Index of Web site words Index of Web site words Spider or robot software gathers site information. Spider or robot software gathers site information. Usually not hand checked: May have dead links Usually not hand checked: May have dead links Keyword and Boolean searches Keyword and Boolean searches

7. Search Engines (2) Examples: Lycos, Excite, Snap, Alta Vista Examples: Lycos, Excite, Snap, Alta Vista May have option for filtered “child friendly” search May have option for filtered “child friendly” search Search their database only Search their database only

8. Directories Logical arrangement by subject or category Logical arrangement by subject or category Usually with some human help Usually with some human help Example: Yahoo, Netscape Example: Yahoo, Netscape Younger students: Yahooligans Younger students: Yahooligans Search their database only Search their database only

9. Meta-search Engines Search other search engines Search other search engines Very superficial search (perhaps 10% of desired sites) Very superficial search (perhaps 10% of desired sites) MetaCrawler, DogPile, Ixquick, Metor MetaCrawler, DogPile, Ixquick, Metor

10. Search Strategies: Boolean Logic Uses: ‘and’ ‘not’ ‘ ( )’ ‘*’ Uses: ‘and’ ‘not’ ‘ ( )’ ‘*’ What will the results be for the following searches? What will the results be for the following searches? school science school science school and science school and science school not science school not science (school science) (school science) school* school*

11. Search: school science

12. Outcome: All sites in database containing school and science Outcome: All sites in database containing school and science

13. Search: school and science

14. Outcome: All sites in database containing both school and science Outcome: All sites in database containing both school and science

15. Search: school not science

16. Outcome: All sites in database containing school but not science Outcome: All sites in database containing school but not science

17. Search: (school science)

18. Outcome: All sites in database containing phrase “school science” Outcome: All sites in database containing phrase “school science”

19. Search: school*

20. Outcome: All sites in database containing word starting with “school... ” Outcome: All sites in database containing word starting with “school... ”

21. Other Options “ school” will find all sites in database containing “school” “ school” will find all sites in database containing “school” “School” will find only sites in database with initial uppercase School “School” will find only sites in database with initial uppercase School Some use other connectors: & + = Some use other connectors: & + =

22. Be Sure to READ the Search Site “How to..” Page

23. Last-Minute Hints Read the “How to Search” document on the site Read the “How to Search” document on the site Use multiple search sites Use multiple search sites Remember that some sites pay for placement Remember that some sites pay for placement Always presearch: Never search for the first time in a class Always presearch: Never search for the first time in a class

24. Questions?