Introduction:
Search engines are fast but dumb. They need to be told what to do. Take control and make them work for you.
We are in the Information Age and information is power. Finding what you want online or on electronic databases is an important skill. If you understand how search engines organize information and run queries, you can maximize your chances of getting hits on URLs that matter.
In this WebQuest you will exercise and define your search muscles. You will explore a variety of search engines and search strategies that will allow you to conduct future searches with ease and confidence.
Each search team will consist of a Navigator and Recorder. The Navigator will execute searches following the instructions in the text provided. The Recorder will log the search results and conclusions on the WebQuest search document and the strategy chart. Be sure to change roles with your partner after each search section.
The Quest:
You and your partner will explore several search engines, compare search techniques, and evaluate results. You will contribute to a class strategy chart based on the results and conclusions of your WebQuest searches.
Your research will involve experience with the following online and electronic databases:
- Ask Jeeves for Kids
- Sirs Discoverer
- KidsClick!
- Yahooligans
- Winnebago Patron Catalog
- Read all search directions carefully and check the hyperlinked Glossary for any unfamiliar terms. Be sure to record your answers as you complete each section.
Start Those Search Engines!
Refer to your paper copies. While you need to complete all sections of the project, you don't need to do the sections in the order given.
Ask Jeeves for Kids is a unique search service which lists questions it thinks you want answered in response to your query.
In this activity, you will compare "natural language" and "keyword" searches.
Try these searches to find information and photos on the young golfer, Tiger Woods, and to discover his first name.
Go to the Ask Jeeves for Kids home page by clicking on the blue hyperlink.
Search 1.
At the search box, create and type your query in question format (natural language) to get the information you need.
Hint: Have Jeeves check your spelling before you click ASK.
Your query will bring up a screen with a series of questions about your topic. Choose a question that best relates to your query, then click ASK.
- Did you find the answer to your query at this Website?
- Did you find Jeeves' questions useful in locating your information?
- Did you find a website with pictures and background information that included Tiger Woods' first name?
- And if so, what is his given name?
- Search 2.
- Conduct a search for the same information using keywords. Enter relevant "keywords" you think will lead you to the needed information. This search will result in another series of questions. Choose the question that best relates to your query. Click ASK.
- Did you find the answer to your question?
Think about It....
- In Search 1, Ask Jeeves conducted a "natural language" search.
- What did this search engine do for you?
- Does the computer search every word in your query?
- Does the computer search for selected keywords in your query?
- Record what you have learned about Ask Jeeves for Kids on your Strategy Chart.
Select reading level: moderate.
- Look at one or two of the articles.
- What do you observe about the proximity of the two words the computer highlighted?
- Search 2.
- Input the phrase "fishing fly" using the quotation marks.
Click easy, moderate and challenging reading levels.
- How many hits did Sirs Discover retrieve?
What conclusion can you draw about the order in which the computer finds the search words?
- Search 3.
- Input fly AND fishing without using quotation marks. (Note that the AND operator is written in all capital letters.) Select the moderate reading level.
- Did Sirs Discover retrieve more or less than twenty-five hits?
- Open the second article on the list and look at the words the Sirs Discoverer highlighted.
- Are the highlighted search words next to or separate from each other in the text?
- Does the article relate to the sport of fly fishing?
- Which search strategy narrowed your topic results?
- Which search strategy was most efficient?
Which search strategy retrieved the best results; the quotation marks or the AND operator ?
Record what you have learned about Sirs Discoverer on your Strategy Chart.
- KidsClick was created by a group of librarians to guide young users to valuable and age appropriate web sites.
Go to the KidsClick! home page to try its advanced search features.
- From the home page, select the Advanced Search Feature.
- How many search fields are there?
- Can you search by reading levels?
- Can you limit the number of pictures in your search?
- Does KidsClick! allow you to truncate search words by using an asterisk (*)?
- What Boolean connectors does KidsClick! allow?
- Search 1.
- At the search dialog box, select the ALL fields button and enter the word hockey. Press return to submit your search.
- How many hits did you find?
- Search 2.
- At the dialog box at the bottom of the screen, search for hockey AND field, selecting ALL fields.
- How many hits did you find?
What did using the AND connector do to your search?
Think about It....
- Considering your results, does the Advanced Search Feature allow you to use the AND Boolean connector as well as the OR and NOT operators?
- Record what you have learned about KidsClick! on your Strategy Chart.
Conduct the "Natural Language" and "Category" searches below and compare the different results from your searches.
Natural Language Search
- How many site matches were found?
- Were you successful in answering your query?
- Looking at the results, does Yahooligans accept natural language searches?
Scroll to National Hockey League and select it.
At the search box enter the word Colorado.
Next to the Search button select Search - Just this Category.
Now click search.
Think about it...
- Which search technique did you prefer using to answer your query, the Natural Language or Category Search?
- Why?
- Record what you have learned about YAHOOLIGANS on your Strategy Chart.
WINNEBAGO PATRON CATALOG
- At the search box, enter the name Jackie Robinson.
- Select the Key Word button, then select search.
- How many materials did you find?
Search 2.
- At the search box, enter the name Jackie Robinson.
Select the Subjects button, then select search.
- How many materials did you find ?
Search 3.
- At the search box, enter the name Robinson, Jackie.
Select the Key Word button, then select search.
- How many materials did you find?
Search 4.
- At the search box, enter the name Robinson, Jackie.
Select the subjects button, then select search.
- How many materials did you find?
What conclusion can you draw about entering names when doing searches in the Patron Catalog?
You were successful in locating Media Center materials about Jackie Robinson. But, what if you now wanted to read books about other baseball players?
Try this search. Select the Expanded Search button.
- Search 1.
- In the first search box, enter the word baseball and select the Key word button.
- Select the and Boolean connector
- In the second search box, enter the number 92 ( for biography). Select the Call Number button. Click the search icon.
- How many materials did you find?
What types of books are they?
- Think about It....
- How could you find fiction (story) books about baseball using this search technique?
- Record what you have learned about the Winnebago Patron Catalog on your Strategy Chart.
Future Searches
In completing this WebQuest, you have explored a variety of search engines and search strategies. You now have a better understanding of how to conduct searches that will produce useful results in less time to solve your information problems.
Rev those search engines and flex your search muscles!
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