Information Searches

1. Blair Thallmayer
MCOM536
Week #3
Topic 3: Information Searches
1. What is the formal definition of a WebQuest?
a. A WebQuest is an inquiry-oriented lesson format in which most or all the
information that learners work with comes from the web. The model was
developed by Bernie Dodge at San Diego State University in February,
1995 with early input from SDSU/Pacific Bell Fellow Tom March, the
Educational Technology staff at San Diego Unified School District, and
waves of participants each summer at the Teach the Teachers Consortium.
2. What is a “pdf” file and what program is needed to view a “pdf” file? Do you
have that program installed on your computer?
a. A “pdf” file is a portable document format created by Adobe Systems for
document exchange. It is used for representing two-dimensional
documents in a manner independent of the application software, hardware
and operating system. You need Adobe Reader to view a “pdf” file but if
you have Adobe Acrobat you can make your own “pdf” files. I have
Adobe Reader 7.0 installed on my computer, but not Adobe Acrobat.
3. If you download a program from an Internet source and the program you’ve
downloaded has “.exe” at the end of the file name, what does that mean?
a. “.exe” is the filename extension for executable files such as programs in
various operating systems. Executable causes a computer to perform tasks
according to encoded instructions as opposed to a file that contains only
data.
4. What is Web 2.0, and what are some examples of Web 2.0 technologies?
a. Web 2.0 is a living term describing changing trends in the use of World
Wide Web technology and web design that aims to enhance creativity,
information sharing, and collaboration. Examples of this would be social
networking sites like facebook or myspace, wikis, and blogs.

2. 5. At what address can I find lesson plans for teaching a lesson on
Shakespeare?
a. http://www.teachersfirst.com/shakespr.shtml
6. At what web address can I find a text version of Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in
Wonderland”?
a. http://school.discoveryeducation.com/lessonplans/programs/alice/
7. What is a cookie and how is it related to internet security?
a. Tracking cookies send text from a server to a Web client and then sent
back by the client each time it accesses that server. A cookie is related to
internet security because they can be used for tracking browsing behavior,
meaning that your internet privacy is not always guaranteed.
8. What are AVI and MOV files? What is necessary for a user to be able to
play them on his or her computer?
a. AVI is audio video interleave which is a multimedia format that plays
audio and video data that allows audio with video playback. MOV is a
QuickTime movie capable of handling various formats of audio and video.
To play MOV’s you would need QuickTime player or iTunes. To play
AVI files you would need a program like Windows Media Player.
9. I would like to translate a phrase from English into German. Is there a web
site on the Internet that can help me do this? If so, what is its name?
a. Yes it’s name is yahoo babel fish and it can be found at
http://babelfish.yahoo.com/.
10. What type of encryption should be used if you are going to do banking over
the Internet?
a. For online banking, Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Encryption keeps all
banking information secure. It does so by requiring the exchange of public
and private keys. These keys are random numbers that change each time to
prevent hackers from learning your information.
11. What is a “blog” and how might it be used as an educational tool?
a. A “blog” is a Web site, usually maintained by an individual, with regular
entries of commentary, like an online diary of events or other material

3. such as graphics or video. “Blog” can also be used as a verb, meaning to
maintain or add content to a blog. Using a blog could be used as an
educational tool by having teachers discuss certain issues that pertain to
applying existing knowledge to generate new ideas on a more personal
and non-textbook level. Using a “blog” as an educational tool will
promote higher proficiency levels in students’ reading and writing.

4. Summary
1. Standard/Outcome: I.D
2. Demonstrate Mastery: (1) Basic principles of instructional design (2)
Emerging programming, authoring and problem solving environments including
collaborative projects (3) Electronic mail and internet resources for
communications (4) Emerging programming and projects such as online
workgroups
3. Artifact Benefit: This document was created in Microsoft Word explore the
basics of information search applications on the internet. This will benefit
students, parents, and educators if taught the appropriate skills and commands
of using search applications on the web.
Reflection
In Fall 2008, I took MCOM 538 Internet for Educators. In this class, we
completed an assignment of completing a number of questions that could be found by
using search applications and information online. Questions included: What is the
formal definition of a WebQuest? All questions were developed for us as students to
explore the new terms and projects that would be assigned later in this course.
Searching for information on the internet can be one of the most difficult tasks,
or it can be fairly easy, depending on how it’s gone about. Using the various types of
search tools and search functions, information should familiarize with new tools never
used before, and allow completing an Internet Treasure Hunt.
Using the search tools to complete the treasure hunt of eleven questions was
far from difficult. Given the search tools and search functions before hand had made
the assignment simple with clear directions because the information was presented
and available already by using familiarized tools with correct information.