Searching for Information

Searching for Information

Frank Westcott Instructional Technology Specialist Region Two

Three Ways to Find Information Browse Use Web Directories Use A Search Engine

Pre-Web Directories

Pre-Search Engines

Very Time Consuming

Could be futile

Browse Use Web Directories Use A Search Engine

If I were looking for 3rd Grade Math lessons I would click on Education Then click on K-12 Then click on Mathematics… Lesson Plans… Third Grade… Then browse through the sites they have listed under that heading. Browse Use Web Directories Use A Search Engine

Problems with Directories

Problems…

Time consuming

Info might not be where you think it should be

Might miss some great sites

Ex. Health Lessons

When should you use a Search Engine?

You want info quickly

You know what you are looking for

Browse Use Web Directories Use A Search Engine

Home Depot Think of Home Depot as the Internet just about anything that you might need is there, if you can find it. Like the Internet, there are three ways to find what you’re looking for.

Browse

Use Directories

Find a worker in an orange vest

Google

How to Search Effectively Like the worker in the orange vest at Home Depot, the more information you give the Search Engine the better the chances of finding what you’re looking for quickly.

Be Specific

Use Boolean Operators

Use Advanced Search Features

Boolean Operators Boolean Operators are terms that you type into the search engine to help refine and narrow your search. They include: AND (+), OR, NOT (-), and NEAR AND (+) heart AND attack Only shows webpages that have the words heart and attack If a page has the word heart but not the word attack It won’t show up in the list

Boolean Operators Boolean Operators are terms that you type into the search engine to help refine and narrow your search. They include: AND (+), OR, NOT (-), and NEAR OR Bronchitis acute OR chronic Will show webpages that have the word bronchitis and will include pages that have the words acute or chronic.

Boolean Operators Boolean Operators are terms that you type into the search engine to help refine and narrow your search. They include: AND (+), OR, NOT (-), and NEAR NOT (-) Atlantis NOT shuttle NOT casino If you’re looking for info on the lost continent Of Atlantis you probably don’t want every webpage That has the word Atlantis. NOT lets you eliminate the pages referring to the Space Shuttle, Casino,etc.

Boolean Operators Boolean Operators are terms that you type into the search engine to help refine and narrow your search. They include: AND (+), OR, NOT (-), and NEAR NEAR dogs NEAR fleas If your dog is scratching a lot he may have fleas. the word dog is NEAR the word fleas. This webpage will show up in your search.

Best Bet – “Use Quotes”

“Quotes” continued