Information Literacy Can you trust all information?

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INFORMATION FOR PARENTS, PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS:

Why is InfoLit important?

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Resource-based learning in the curriculum

UNESCO School Library Manifesto

WHAT IS A SEARCH ENGINE?



What's under the bonnet of a 'search engine'?
 Use the information from Search Engine Watch to list and describe the three parts of a search engine. You will have to scroll down to the heading "The Parts Of A Crawler-Based Search Engine" to find the answer.
computer
Aren't all 'search engines' the same?
 Are all computers the same? Are all books the same? Are all people the same? Use the page at Search Engine Watch to tabulate the differences between
  • Crawler-based search engines
  • Human-powered Directories
  • Hybrid or "mixed-results" search engines

  • Use a search of YOUR choice to add Metasearch engines to your table. DESCRIBE how this is different from the other ones listed above.

  • Why is the page you're looking for always hundreds after the first one? OK, maybe not hundreds, but why isn't it first? Use this page to LIST the different factors that affect page rank.
first place
Which search engine is best?
 The one that gives the best results in the shortest time! Hmmm ...

  • Which one has the largest database? (most number of results)
  • Which one has the fastest refresh rate? (most current information)
  • Which one has the easiest to use interface? (Is what you see what you get?)
  • Which ones offer you a preview of the link target?
  • Which ones provide a summary for the link?
  • Which ones have an unbiased order for listing results?
  • Which ones have had the links recommended by a human expert? Use these links listed under the headings of Primary Search Engines to TABULATE the information for as many of the above dot points as you can. You might need to search elsewhere to fill in any blanks. Do your results give you an answer to which one is best? Explain.
    • BONUS QUESTION!

    Are there legal issues for search engines?
    Blind Justice    		 Yes! Go to Search Engine Watch's Legal Issues web page.
    • Find the link to the article called "eBay Bans Google Keywords". Why did John Corea, owner of AuctionSageSoftware.com write to the (US) Department of Justice? What was his concern, and what did he want done?
    • Find the link to the article that explains "is copying a web page 'fair use'?". What were the arguments for and against this that were used in court.

    • Find the link to the article "Parody sites sucked into cybersquatting squabbles", then go to the article. SUMMARISE the article, highlighting the key points and the outcomes.

    Have your work checked before you go onto Part 2 >>>



    This page created and maintained by A.B. Credaro © 2007
    Last updated April 8 2008
    Permission is granted for linking, adaptations and modifications for educational
    non-profit use. Acknowledgement of original authorship is appreciated.