This document provides guidance on how to effectively research topics online for school assignments. It recommends starting with a kid-friendly search engine to avoid inappropriate content. Keywords and search terms are important for retrieving relevant information, as using multiple keywords together will yield fewer but more targeted results. When evaluating websites for research, it is important to consider the credentials and expertise of the creator, the type and recency of information on the site, and how authoritative and trustworthy the site seems. Students are instructed to use an evaluation form to systematically rate potential research websites.

1. Internet Research

2. Keywords
&
Website Evaluation

3. Where do you start?
Begin with a
search engine
designed for kids…
You will save yourself a lot of TIME and
FRUSTRATION sifting through information that’s
written for adults.

4. What's your favorite
search engine?
Webpath Express (Destiny)
Safe Search
Sweet Search
Kid Rex (Google for kids)
Google (Blackle to save energy)

5. Using Keywords
Your teacher has asked you to find out if the
element mercury is toxic.
Enter "mercury" Write down # of hits

6. Enter "mercury" &
"element." Write down #
of hits.

7. Enter "mercury" &
"element" & "toxic."
Write down # of hits.

8. Compare the number of
websites retrieved for
each search. What does
that tell you about how
the search engine works.

9. Using Synonyms
You want to find out about living on the planet
Mars.
What search terms would you use?

10. "Mars" "planet" "living"
Write down the number of
hits.

11. Now try "Mars" "planet"
"colonizing"
Write down the number of
hits.

12. Website Vocabulary
Rate (verb) - to assign a value or score to something
Research - to collect information about a topic (eWISE
research model)
Bookmarks or home screen icons - shortcuts on your
computer that allows you to easily visit a site again.
Dead Links - linked sites on a website that no longer
work.
Navigate - to move around and find your way.

13. Ask this question.
How do you decide which
websites to use for your
research?

14. Who, What, When?
Who - who created this site? Has anyone
already evaluated it? What are their credentials?
What makes them an expert? Can you trust
them?
What? - What kind of information is on the site?
Will it help you answer your questions?
When? - How long has it been since the website
was updated? Is the information still accurate?

15. Score these websites on North
Carolina using the form Mrs. Behrend
“chirps” to your iPAd or just click on
the link above if you do not have an
iPad.
http://ncpedia.org/
http://www.visitnc.com

16. Your turn…
1. Use the search engine Mrs. B assigns your group.
2. Find a new site about NC.
3. Rate it using your form on your iPad or with this link.
4. Switch (leave your computer and iPad and travel to a
new group).
5. Rate their website using the same form.