Internet Search Tools for Students
Searching tools for students can be problematic because most search utilities are really designed for an adult audience, often returning adult results that are not suitable. Fortunately, there is a new generation of searching sites designed for use by youngsters that return more appropriate links for students.
There are three major Web search tools: search engines, search indexes/directories and meta-search engines. Learning to distinguish when to use different types of Web search tools is an important part of being able to conduct purposeful, useful searches.
- Search Engine: An Internet software program that creates huge databases of Web documents. Search engines send out “spiders” or “robots” to crawl through Web files and index them. Examples: Google, Ask.com.
- Search Index/Directory: A special kind of file used to organize other files into a hierarchical structure. Internet indexes/directories begin with broad categories and become more specific as you descend into the hierarchical list. Examples: Yahoo, Yahooligans, KidsClick.
- Meta-Searchers: Search engines that search multiple search engines simultaneously. Examples: Dogpile, Vivisimo.
Disclaimer: The librarians responsible for the outstanding search directory KidsClick said it quite well: Please note that KidsClick! is not an Internet filter. It does not prevent client Web browsers from being used to surf any URL address that the user inputs. It is intended to guide users to good sites; not block them from “bad” sites. The same can be said for this Web page. Teachers and students always have a responsibility to abide by the user agreement of their educational agency as to what is appropriate use of the Internet.
Search Engines
Search engines, as opposed to indexes, depend on the user to supply key information in order to return results. A search engine requires a key word(s) to be entered that will serve as the basis of the search. Key words can be entered individually, or in phrases. Some search engines will accept “common language” queries while others have more strict rules about constructing the search.
Most useful when … you have identified a need for finding specific information. For instance, if you want to gather information on the development and evolution of the science of gene splicing, you have narrowed your topic even before your search has begun and would benefit from using a search engine. Some of the best are listed below.
Ask for Kids
Ask for Kids uses natural-language technology that allows kids to ask questions and perform Web searches … in the same way they would ask a parent, friend or teacher. The service combines human editorial judgment, age-appropriate feature content, and filtering technology to enable kids to find both relevant and befitting information on the Web.
INFOMINE
Designed for the university level user, but also useful to teachers and high-performing high school students, INFOMINE contains Internet resources such as databases, electronic journals, electronic books, bulletin boards, mailing lists, online library card catalogs, articles, directories of researchers, and many other types of information. INFOMINE is librarian-built.
Search Indexes/Directories
Search indexes are subject “trees” and/or categories that can be browsed when looking for information. In other words, someone has developed a method or scheme for organizing information to make it more accessible and manageable. For example larger categories might be business, education, entertainment, etc. Each major category branches further to sub-categories, e.g., education might split into teaching strategies, instructional materials, high school, middle school, etc.
Most useful when … you have a general idea of what you want to look for, or when you want to browse for information but don’t necessarily have a specific need in mind.
American Library Association: Great Web Sites for Kids
KidsClick
Yahoo Kids, Homework Help
Kids at AOL, Homework Help
Kids at AOL, Homework Help Jr.
Encarta Encyclopedia Article Center
Information Please, Fact Monster
Encyclopedia Smithsonian
Kids.gov
Searching with Meta-Searchers
Meta-searchers are search engines that search several other search engines at once. For instance a keyword is entered then the meta-searcher searches Google, Yahoo, Ask.com etc. all at once, returning results from all of them based on entry in the meta-searcher.
Most useful when … you have two very different types of information needs. When you want to “cast a wide net” and see what might be out on the Web but have no idea how many results might be expected, meta-searchers are great. At the other end of the spectrum, when you are having trouble getting results, meta-search engines can be very helpful.
Dogpile
“Dogpile’s meta-search searches multiple engines - this means that instead of getting the best results one search engine has to offer, you’ll be getting the best combined results from a variety of engines, and not just any engines, but industry leading engines like Google, Yahoo! Search, Live Search, Ask.com, About, MIVA, LookSmart and more. We just recently published a study about how little search results overlap across the various search engines (less than 1%!) and how meta-search provides a better Web search experience.”
Search Vivisimo
Search Vivisimo is a search engine that organizes results in “clusters” of similar types of information/resources related to the search topic such as text, data, photos, etc. Clusters facilitate focused browsing. Vivisimo also allows for user selection to target searches on certain Web databases, news feeds and/or specific sites.
Teachers: Resources for Internet Searching Lessons
As part of the process of teaching students how to effectively search the Internet for useful information, teachers need to look at Web-searches in a broader context of developing students’ information literacy. Simply conducting keyword word searches on randomly selected Internet search tools will only serve to overwhelm and confuse students, who seek specific, focused results to assist them in their research.
The following links provide reference materials for teachers to help them consider the conceptual issues of information literacy that include the skill of conducting effective Internet searches, developing good research questions and planning focused searches.
21st Century Information Fluency
NoodleTools, Teacher Resources
21st Century Literacies, Site Map
Teaching digital information fluency: Make it usable
Teacher Lesson Materials
Internet Search Challenge
Four NETS for Better Searching
21st Century Literacies, General Web Search Tools
21st Century Literacies, Online Search Techniques
Basic Search Information
NoodleTools, Choose the Best Search
NoodleQuest
The Search Process
Search Engines
Tutorials
KidsClick: Web Search for Kids by Librarians
Pandia Goalgetter, Short & Easy Search Engine Tutorial
Bare Bones 101: Basic Tutorial on Searching the Web
Evaluation of Online Searches
Evaluation of Information Sources, WWW Virtual Library