Uncovering the

Gold On the Web

The Web is a wonderful source of infomation, especially if you know where to start looking. In most cases, a search engine is NOT the best place to start. This workshop help you to gather a set of bookmarks that you can use to start effective Web searches. We will be using the links below:

Research Data Shows 
 

  1. Students appreciate the Web for research, but are ineffective at finding quality infomation 

    2. Dr. Ebersole's Research: Adolescent's Use of the World-Wide Web
    Ebersole studied the Web research habits of students in 10 public secondary schools. He found, through an analysis of student information sources, that their qualitative standards were severely lacking, and that students were easily distracted. 
  1. Using Web pages is highly recommended to guide students to selected information 

    2. Computer Technology In California K-12 Schools: Uses, Best Practices...
    This research report, prepared for Assemblywoman Kerry Mazzoni (then-chair of the California Assembly Education Committee), recommends nearly two dozen practices and uses of technology in K-12 schools. School library Web pages figure prominently in his recommendations, especially with regards to effective Web use. 


Developing Search Strategies That Work:
Ways of Organizing Information Resources

Some Major Web Information Categories for Educators
 

Reference
  1. Encyclopedias 
  2. Dictionaries 
  3. Handbooks and Guidebooks 
  4. Quotations

    5.  

     

 

Primary Sources
 

Gateways/Directories Part A
  1. Specialized Sources
    1. News 
      1. Public 
      2. Mainstream 
    2. Art/Museums 
    3. Film/Cinema 
    4. Images/Pictures 
    5. Curriculum 
      1. California Learning Resource Network
      2. Blue Web'n Learning Sites Library 
      3. Federal Resources for Educational Excellence (FREE) 
      4. The Gateway to Educational Materials 
      5. Kathy Schrock's Guide for Educators 
    6. Audio 
    7. Video

Gateways/Directories Part B
  1. General 
    1. Educator/Professionally Selected Sites 
    2. Commercial 

General Web Information Sources: Comparing Search Engines
Search Engines Showdown: Comparison
"Compare Search Engine Features, Size, and Strategies." Very clear explanation of the types of searching that can be done on the Web. Note the nice sub-topics: Search Engines, Directories, and Multi-Search.

Search Engine Watch
A clearinghouse for ratings and information about Web search engines. Find the best searchers for your purpose. Be sure to read the article "Search Engine Math" to learn the basics of structuring effective searches.
 
 

Some Workshop Tools
  1. Choose the Best Search for Your Information Needs - NoodleTools 
  2. Best Search Tools Chart  - Infopeople
  3. Best Search Tools Page - Infopeople 
  4. Saving and Copying Images  - Infopeople Handout
  5. Search Engine Strategies  - Infopeople Handout 

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Updated by the C.H.S. Librarian: 3-8-2004.