session 7: alternatives to search engines. focusing questions when looking for information on the...
TRANSCRIPT
Session 7: Alternatives to Search Engines
Focusing Questions
When looking for information on the Internet, what are some alternatives to search engines?
How do these other search tools differ from search engines?
When and why would you use one of these tools instead of a search engine?
Taking a closer look at
other search tools
Alternatives to Search Engines:
Instruction
Framing Our Work
Our previous sessions have focused on using search engines to find information on the Internet. However, search engines are not the only way to find information on the ‘net, and often, they are not the best way.
.
Framing Our Work
In this session, we’ll take a look at some alternatives to search engines. We’ll see how using these alternatives can often help you and your students find better information for your needs.
Teaching
Let’s first review what we already know about search engines.
Search Engines: A Review
Search Enginescollect information using programs called robots or spiders
Information collected:text, titles of pages, and meta-tags (words a web author uses to describe his or her page)
Collected information goesinto that search engine’s database
When you conduct a search, your keywords are matched against the search engine’s database.
Breast Cancer
Rap Music
Ancient Egypt
When you conduct a search…
Search engines do not search the entire web
… They only search within their own databases
Breast Cancer
Teaching
In a previous session, we also got a glimpse at a Meta-Search engine. Let’s take a look at the one we saw, Dogpile.
Search several major search engines at once
Collect and correlate the top results and present it in one list.
Meta-search Engines
Another Example is WebCrawler
are best used for simple searches
(On complex searches, conflicting algorithms get in the way!)
Meta-search Engines
Teaching
Today, we’re going to take a look at directories.
Directories are different in a number of ways from search engines, and are often a better alternative when seeking information.
Are like Yellow Pages for the Internet
searchable collections of websites organized into categories compiled and organized by people, instead of web robots
Directories
•Wiseman, Ken. The Invisible Web for Educators
Yahoo is an example of a directory
Directories
Directories
are sometimes found within a search engine
Google Directory is an example:http://directory.google.com
Directories
Subject guides
Type of directory
Resources are selected and organized by people
They are good for large and focused topics, but provide fewer resources than search engines
For AP level classes, college students and subject specialists
Internet history Sourcebooks
From the Medieval Sourcebook
Specialized DirectoriesInternet sites, tools, lessons,
tutorials and projects for teachers
Blue Web’N
From the New York City library systems!
Is one search toolbetter than another?
Not necessarily, BUT
they provide different results from the same search terms!
Know which search tool will produce the best results for any particular query
Use more than one search tool if necessary
The key to good results
How do you find out about directories?
Subscribe to LII and Blue Web’N newsletters
Use directories to find out about other directories
Check out resources on homework help sites
Find out more about searching the Deep Web, materials not found through regular search engines
Look at Debbie Abilock’s Noodle Tools
Guided Practice
Students and teachers often go directly to search engines to try and find information on the Internet. We’re going to play out a scenario – one for students and one for teachers – where, instead of using a search engine, we’ll be using a directory. We’ll see how we fare.
Guided Practice
I’ll take you through a sample using the topic of Ancient Egypt.
Scenario: I’m a teacher looking for some good fun activities, perhaps a WebQuest, for my students to complete as part of our unit on Ancient Egypt.
Guided Practice
I’m going to try Blue Web’n, since they have some great stuff, and it’s organized in a way that makes it easy to navigate.
http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/bluewebn/
Work Time
Work Time
In small groups, we will use directories to find information on biomes.
We’ll be working in groups of two or four.
Work Time
To do this activity, we’ll divide the group in half.
Now, each half should get into pairs or quads.
Work Time
The teacher groups will be teachers looking for educational activities (Webquest, interactive site, teaching unit) on biomes for their students
Work Time
The student groups will be students looking for information on biomes for an assignment
Sites for teachers to use
Work Time
These sites are listed and hyperlinked on your worksheet.
Open up the worksheet entitledhandout practice assignment worksheet
Work Time
Decide whether you are students or teachers.
Choose one of the directories to explore.Take notes on the path you take to find
your materials.You will use these notes later when we
share our information.
Share
Today we learned how to use search directories as an alternative to search engines. Let’s take a look at the information we found using the directories. First someone from one of the teacher groups… then someone from one of the student groups.
Share
Things to think about:When would you use a directory instead
of a search engine? What are the advantages/disadvantages?
How can we get students to use these directories?
Share
Comments and Feedback
Share
New York City Curriculum Resources Information Fluency Continuum
Phase: Investigate p. 18Indicator: uses a variety of search engines to do advanced
searching
New York City Performance Standards Applied Learning Standard 3a: Gather information to assist in
completing project work Applied Learning Standard 3b: Use information technology to
assist in gathering, organizing, and presenting informationh
Standards
Technology StandardsISTE National Educational Technology Standard (NETS)
Standard 5: Technology Research tools: -- Students use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety of sources -- Students use evaluate and select new information resources and technological innovations based on the appropriateness to specific tasks.
Standards