Transcript The ABC’s Of Searching

The ABC’s Of Searching
Lesson 2:
Using The Right
Search Engine
Background
You go onto the Internet in
hopes of finding web sites that
can help you. You know that
search engines can help you,
but which one should you use?
There are quite a few out there,
but some are easier and safer to
use than others. Let’s find out
more.
Objective
By the end of this lesson you will know:
 Three different types of search engines
 Pros and cons of each type of search engine
 Examples and web addresses (URLs) for
each type of search engine
Lesson
Get comfortable at your computer.
If you are watching this as a slide show on your
computer sit back and watch the tutorial.
If you are watching it as a class follow along with the
screen shots. So, open up your Internet program
(Explorer, Netscape,…) now.
We will be looking at 3 different kinds of search
engines for different types of searches.
• Subject Directories
• Whole Language search engines or
Question-Answer search engines
• Keyword search engines
The first type of search engine is a subject
directory.
This means that information is presented to you by
subject or themes. This is the quickest and easiest
type of search engine to use.
Two popular examples include:
&
www.kidsclick.com
www.yahooligans.com
Let’s see how a subject directory works.
You decide to use the KidsClick search engine. Imagine you need to
find information out on the solar system for science class.
Notice that there are subject headings listed
below by categories such as Health, Science,
Arts.. and many others.
Since you want information on the planets you click
on the science category. You will see a screen similar
to the one pictured below.
Notice that you
need to choose
again, from all
the list of
choices.
You will need to click on planets, as that is what
you want to research.
Wow, we are
given a list of
only 20 web
sites that are
all about
planets in just
a few easy
clicks.
Notice that it gives you the title as a link (blue
and underlined) followed by a short description
of what the web site is all about.
All you have to do is visit a few of the web sites to
find out more about the planets.
Let’s review subject directories!
Pros:
- Easy to use, just click and go
- “kid” friendly web pages (safe)
-Just a few web pages are given so
you don’t waste time
- You don’t have to type, just click
and go
Cons:
- Doesn’t always have what you
want (limited information)
- Too simple, you might want
more details and explanations.
The second type of search engine is a
question-answer search engine or whole
language (regular language) search engine.
This means you type a question, and it searches
for web pages with possible answers to your
question.
A popular example is:
Ask For Kids
www.askforkids.com
This is how a question-answer search engine works.
Just type in a question you have, just as you would ask a
teacher or friend.
Notice that if it knows the answer it will list it here.
If not, it will suggest other questions for which it
does know the answers.
You can ask a different question or try rewording the
same question a little differently. You could also click
on one of the questions that it does know the answer
to.
Pros:
- Easy to use, as it is the way we
normally talk and write
- “Kid” friendly safe information
- Just a few web sites are returned as
answers to your question. This is
good because it is fast and easy.
Cons:
- Doesn’t always have what you
want (limited answers)
- Can be difficult to find what
you want, easy to get off topic.
The third type of search engine is a
keyword search engine.
This where you type in a word or two that describe
what it is you want to know more about.
A popular example is:
Google
www.google.ca
This is how a keyword search engine works.
This is where you need to type in a word or two
that describe what it is you want to know.
By searching for the word planets you would see
results like this.
Notice also
the large
number of
results for
your search.
The other
lessons will
show you
how to
narrow this
# down.
Notice that it gives you the title as a link (blue
and underlined) followed by a short description
of what the web site is all about.
Let’s review keyword search engines
Pros:
- Can be easy to use, just type and go
- Information from all around the
world on almost every topic
- Find pictures too, not just web pages.
- The most advanced type of search
engine, can use Boolean Logic.
Cons:
- Not always safe or true information
-Too many results is frustrating and impossible to
visit all the web sites.
- You need to have strategies in order to use it
properly These strategies will be explained in
Lesson 3, 4, 5 and 6.
Let’s review the three types of search engines.
Subject
Directory
Whole
Language
Keyword
Search
www.kidsclick.com
OR
www.yahooligans.com
www.askforkids.com
www.google.ca
How it
works
Organized by topics
and themes, look
under headings for the
topic you want by a
click of the mouse.
Ask a question just
as you would a
teacher or friend.
Type in a word or two
about what you want
information on. It
returns results
matching what you
asked for.
Benefits
An easy to read, fast
and safe way to find
information specific to
your topic..
Quick, easy and safe
way to find fast
answers to your
question.
Huge amounts of
Information on all
topics including
pictures.
URL
address
Remember:
• We covered three types of search engines each
with their own pros and cons.
• Using a combination of all of them will make sure
you find helpful information.
• With practice all of them will get easier to use
You are now ready to
try it for yourself.
Complete the activity
sheet for Lesson 2.