Information Literacy Can you trust all information?

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SKIP TO PAGES: What is a Search Engine?

Speciality Searching

Quick and great results

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS, PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS:

Why is InfoLit important?

Why do we still need school libraries?

Resource-based learning in the curriculum

UNESCO School Library Manifesto

GETTING GREAT RESULTS
Using Key Words

Go to Google. Imagine you are trying to find out what the opening hours for Parramatta Library are, so you can return a book.
  • RECORD the number of results if you just use the keyword library
  • RECORD the number of results if you use the keywords library and parramatta
  • RECORD the number of results if you use the keywords library, parramatta and opening.
  • PLOT the number of results against the number of keywords.
  • Use the PLOT link above to create a graph online.
  • EMAIL it to your school email account.
  • DEMONSTRATE your ability to reformat information, and also to move information electronically, by having your success recorded for assessment purposes.

  • What happens to the number of results if you select the radio button to limit the search to Australian sites.
  • Check out each of your search results. What is the rank for the link that has the information you need?
So the more keywords you use, the better your search? EXPLORE and REPORT on what happens when you use this phrase in your search: I want to return a book to parramatta library but I don't know what the opening hours are? What is the 'rank' of the result that has the information you need?
Using Advanced Features

Ever wanted to include some words, but exclude other words, from a search? Or wanted files (like images) in a particular format? Or wanted information only from particular types of publishers? Or you don't want to have to look at over a million suggested links that have nothing to do with the information you are seeking?
  • Go to Boolean Operators and TABULATE the symbols and words, together with what they mean.

  • Here's something scary; Search Engine Maths. Try to summarise this information into one paragraph, but don't spend any more than 5 minutes on it.

  • Pretty hard, huh? But it can get worse. Go to the Comparison Chart and see which search engines accept what types of symbols and words (Boolean Operators).

  • What madman came up with this?! Go to Wikipedia and SUMMARISE the highlights of George Boole's contribution to computer science.

  • Is there an easier way of narrowing a search? YES! Most search engines have a link for Advanced Searching, which will save you a lot of time, energy, and sanity. Go to Google and LOCATE the Advanced Search link. LIST the types of information that you can select to LIMIT or NARROW your search.
  • Repeat with Altavista and All the Web. OUTLINE the similarities and differences between the three search engines' advanced search features.


TOP

JUST FOR FUN: After you've finished the work above, and had it checked, catch your breath! Take some relaxation time as a reward for finishing your work.


No Brainer Think you've got a big brain? Put it to the test in the funniest trivia game on the Web. It takes an agile mind to quickly answer yes or no questions like: "Does Oprah sweat?".
Bonnie's Bookstore Help an aspiring author finish her book. Connect letters on the board to create words for her new novel. But beware of the dreaded writer's block!
Wild Wild Words Welcome to the trickiest word game of the Wild West! Spell words with letters that fall from the sky, then try your hand at some classic hangman.


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