Web Browsing and Searching

Lesson OverviewOne way to use the Internet is by surfing, the process of following links from one Web page to another. It can be a lot of fun, but simply surfing the net does not necessarily get us where we need to go. In this lesson we will look beyond basic surfing to quicker ways to find information on the Internet, namely directories and search engines.

Lesson Objectives

• List differences between portals, directories and search engines

• Name popular search engines and directory sites

• Perform intelligent searches using search engines

Web Browsing and Searching

Simple BrowsingSurfing can be interesting and fun, but it is frustrating if you do not find what you are looking for. There are popular web sites that you can go to that provide a lot of information on topics such as these. We find out about these types of web sites in various ways, such as from TV, radio and magazines.

Web Browsing and Searching

Popular Web SitesSome web sites contain large amounts of information on a single subject. These sites tend to cover fewer topics than popular directories, but generally do so in depth. A good example of this type of site is the NASA site.

Web Browsing and Searching

NASAOne of the first government agencies to use the Internet was NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. NASA has great information on the Web, including space exploration, photographs from the Hubbell space telescope, photographs of the surface of Mars, and much more. Visit NASA Web site at http://www.nasa.gov.

Web Browsing and Searching

Here are a few more sites that may be of interest on specific subjects:

 Smithsonian: http://www.smithsonian.org/kids/

Computers and the Internet: http://www.cnet.com

Games: http://www.yahooligans.com/content/games/

Web Browsing and Searching

Overview of PortalsPortal sites refer to Web sites that provide a starting place for finding information on the Internet. Many portals began as simple directories or search engines, but they have added features over time. A portal may be a directory, a search engine or a combination of both.

Web Browsing and Searching

DirectoriesDirectories try to bring order to the Internet. However, directories are limited because the Internet is so big. Directories are still a good place to start.

Web Browsing and Searching

Some of the bigger directories are Yahoo!, Excite, Lycos, and MSN (Microsoft Network). There are also directories or indexes for specific audiences such as Yahooligans for kids.

Web Browsing and Searching

Yahooligans:http://

www.yahooligans.com  Excite:http://www.excite.comMSN:http://www.msn.comZoogdisney:http://www.zoogdisney.com

Web Browsing and Searching

Search EnginesSearch engines find information for us by matching specific words to information on the Internet. While it can be tricky to learn how to use them well, search engines can locate obscure information that does not appear in a directory.

Web Browsing and Searching

There are common command syntaxes or syntax rules for both types as follows:– Quotes– Capitalize– Wildcards

Web Browsing and Searching

Boolean connectors – And– Or– Not

Web Browsing and Searching

Example Search Engines:Google http://www.google.comNorthern Lighthttp://

www.northernlight.comHotBothttp://www.hotbot.comRefdeskhttp://www.refdesk.com

Web Browsing and Searching

MetasearchersSearch engines that use a collection of search engines on the Internet to get information are called metasearchers. They get results from the other engines, get rid of duplicate information, reorganize the results and display the information in the browser window.

Web Browsing and Searching

Example Metasearchers:MetaCrawler http://www.metacrawler.comDogpile http://www.dogpile.comCNET’s metasearch site http://www.search.comAskJeeves http://www.ask.com

Web Browsing and Searching

Activity 1We looked at the NASA site as a good example of a web site that provides detailed information on a particular subject. Find and list three more sites on subjects you enjoy.

Web Browsing and Searching

Activity 2Using a directory, find information about the following poets:

Emily DickinsenHenry Wadsworth LongfellowRobert FrostEdgar Allen Poe

Web Browsing and Searching

Activity 3Using a search engine, find out where the following famous sayings came from:

A friend in need is a friend indeed Good fences make good neighbors Hitch your wagon to a star

          The leopard can’t change its spots It’s not over till it’s over

Web Browsing and Searching

Extended ActivityPlay the Hangman word game solving problems for famous people and famous sayings

Setting Browser Features

End of Lesson