Compiled Messages      Close this window
      Print  Save as File  
       Compiled Messages
      Topic: Internet Discussion Date: October 31, 2005 10:53 PM 
      Subject: Internet Searching, Strategies and Organizing for Instruction 
      Author: BLADES, KATHRYN 
      Several people have discussed the importance of teaching internet 
      searching and how to evaluate the information found on the Internet.

      I agree that students and teachers need to know the following:

      How to conduct a search of the internet or databases.

      The difference between a search engine and a directory.

      When to use a search engine or directory.

      How to evaluate a webpage and a website.

      Alan November's article - Teaching Zack to Think offers one of the most 
      compelling reasons for teaching website evaluation.

      http://novemberlearning.com/default.aspx?tabid=159&type=art&site=19&parentid=18

      Students and teachers also need to know about several search engines and 
      "what they do" so they can pick and choose and maybe even use several 
ones.

      Organizing for instruction

      Salpeter, Judy. Web literacy and critical thinking: A teacher's toolkit. 
      Technology and Learning. March 2003. 
      http://www.techlearning.com/db_area/archives/TL/2003/03/toolkit.html
      (Accessed October 31, 2005.)

      Salpeter's article examines how teachers can effectively use the web.

      Goals, objectives, purpose of the lesson

      As teachers examine goals and objectives across the curriculum and include 
      information skills, media literacy skills, and computer/technology skills 
      when planning units of study, the teacher must decide the purpose of 
      student's accessing the resources.


      Learning how to find and evaluate internet resources are worthwhile goals.

      Preselecting sites is also equally fine - If a teacher chooses three or 
      four high-quality sites, rich in information and wants the students to use 
      these sites then the students are given those sites to use. 

      Webquests are a wonderful way to direct students learning.

      Web scavenger hunts are also a great way for younger students to read for 
      information on the web. Preselcted sites or search engines may be used or 
      teachers may decide to use the lesson to teach search strategies. 


      Another took is the Pathfinder -- 

      School media specialists often create specialized lists of resources (they 
      may even be annotated) known as Pathfinders.

      Take a look at Methuen High School Media Center's Website --> Pathfinders
      http://www.methuen.k12.ma.us/media/

      Kathy










       Reply  Forward     

      Print  Save as File  
      Close this window