Activity+8+Search+Engines

=Activity 8 Investigating Search Engines and Directories=

Since different search engines will search different types of sources and may use different operators to limit searches, it is a good idea to become familiar with some of the major search engines and how they work. Some offer indices of information, while others offer "more like this" links that can be helpful. Some will only search sites that have been registered with them. Some search by popularity, while others use keywords. The best way to learn how to use internet search engines is to try them.

Helpful Links
[|Comprehensive List of Search Engines] Links to large list of Search Engines from Internet4classrooms

[|Ask.com] [|Google] [|Bing] [|Yippy]
 * Examples of Search Engines Sites **

[|About] [|Open Directory Project] [|Lycos] [|Yahoo Directory]
 * Examples of Directory Sites**

[|Dogpile] [|MetaCrawler]
 * Examples of Meta-Search Engine Site**s

Process

 * 1) Select a keyword or topic.
 * 2) Conduct an internet search using at least one search engine from each category.
 * 3) Print out the first page of results from each search.
 * 4) Add your name on each page (I need a way to track your participation)
 * 5) Get together with 2 or 3 classmates.
 * 6) Compare your lists and develop a hypothesis about each search engine.
 * 7) What kind of information dominates the listing?
 * 8) When and why might you use one search engine to find information rather than another one?
 * 9) Identify and try at least 2 ways that your search could be narrowed or made more relevant to your specific needs.
 * 10) What are the advantages and disadvantages of each option?
 * 11) Discuss the following questions and have one member of your team record the responses.
 * 12) How do search engines and directories differ?
 * 13) What features are offered by the various engines that were visited?
 * 14) Why is it a good idea to try more than one search engine?
 * 15) Collate the printed results from each member and the team responses to questions in #6, #7, & #8.

Submit: (as a team package)

 * The printed results of #3 from each team member (names must be on each page for credit to be recorded).
 * The recorded team responses for questions in #6, #7, & #8. (Include each team members name on this page).

Adapted from: Common Sense Media http://cybersmartcurriculum.org/researchinfo/lessons/6-8/investigating_search_engines_and_directories/ Addison Wesley Longman http://wps.ablongman.com/wps/media/objects/194/199300/ocg/findact1.html