How to Complete a Search on the Internet

Objectives of Lesson:

Introduction

In order to find quality sites and resources to utilize in the classroom, it is integral that educators know how to sufficiently search the internet.  Searching the internet is easy, yet time-consuming.  Often times, you can get mesmerized by the flow of websites and resources pages.  (This is a very important point to remember when your students search the internet).  Below you will find some key steps, pointers, and ideas involving internet searches.  Even if you consider yourself a web-savvy individual, you might find some useful information to utilize on your next internet search!

Where should I begin?

To start an internet search you need to select a search engine.  A search engine is a website that does the "searching" for you based on your inputted key words.  Some common search engines are the following:

All of the above search engines will adequately provide you with information based on your inputted key words.  If you have a favorite, stick with it.  If you are tired of using the same old search engine, try something new.  Now, one caveat in selecting just one search engine is that your search results are limited to the websites that your particular search engine finds.  Not all search engines will uncover the same resources.  If you want to expand your search and search several search engines simultaneously, you need to use a meta-crawler.  A meta-crawler will search several search engines at the same time and will display the results from each site.   To read more about a meta-crawler, check out the U C Berkeley Library Meta-Crawler website.  Some common meta-crawlers are the following:

How can I apply my new Knowledge?

Now that you have a basic idea of what an internet search entails, it is now time to practice your skills.  In order to complete a successful and purposeful internet search, you must be specific in your searching keywords.  To illustrate this point, please complete the following task:

  1. Go to Yahoo! (this link will open in a new window)
  2. Type the words "elementary education"
  3. Yahoo!  will find approximately two million different sites that all match the search criteria of "elementary education."  Yikes!  That is a lot of website to muddle through to actually find what you are looking for!

It is integral that when completing an internet search you are specific and to the point.  If you are looking for third grade lessons on mammals, then type that exactly.  This will make your sifting through information much much easier. 

Now, I suggest that you complete your own internet search. 

  1. Select one of the search engines or meta-crawlers to use.   
  2. Decide what you want to search or seek out
  3. Search! 
  4. If you find a website that you think has merit and is something that you feel educators in general should bookmark, please email me the link and I will add it to the educatingteachers.com  webliography!

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Page last updated on 04/30/2003