INTRODUCTION


Rate your level of Internet proficiency.


 a) I don't want to brag - but I am an Internet guru!
	 (Guru that I am, I am still always searching for more great sites.)	
 b) I know the basics, but need some tips to make my internet
         searching more effective.
 c) I know that a lot of people are into this "dot.com" thing and want
         to know more about it.
 d) Internet?  What's that - a new name for the Monica Lewinsky scandal?

No matter what your level of proficiency, I hope that this Internet WebQuest
will be helpful.


THE TASK & THE PROCESS

You will be using this WebQuest as a guided tour through the basics of
internet searching.

Click the scroll bar at the side of screen to move up and down this page

Try out all the hyperlinks and activites.

Before you begin your journey, you need to answer
2 basic questions. 

Click on the "hyperlinks" below:
       (underlined words/phrases etc. are called "hyperlinks")
                     

 1. In what way is the Internet like a library?
 2. Who is in charge of the internet?	


Yes, the internet is disorganized and can be confusing, but as you follow
the suggested activities, you will soon find that navigating the internet is
becoming second nature.



ACTIVITIES AND RESOURCES
 Activity #1 - What does all that internet jargon mean?

If you consider yourself a beginner at the internet, you will want to
visit the Glossary Page to go over some definitions.


  
 Activity #2 - What do I do when I already know the address?

WATCH OUT - HERE COME THE "DOT.COMS"!

Now - it's time to try out a web site.  To have a look at The CNN Web Page,
follow these steps:

	
Click inside the Netscape "location" box, just above this page.

	
Delete the address that is currently in the location box.

	
Type in the following address exactly as it is here:
  
			www.cnn.com

AFTER A QUICK LOOK AT THE CNN PAGE, PRESS "BACK" TO RETURN TO THIS PAGE.


  
 Activity #3 - What if I don't know any addresses?

That's easy....LET'S GO SURFIN'!  

A good place to start out is a high quality "search directory".

Using a search directory to search the internet is somewhat like browsing
through the shelves of a library, with no particular destination in mind.

A good search directory to start with is called "Yahoo!" Give it a try!

 

  
 Activity #4 - What if I need information on a very specific topic?

No problem! - use a "SEARCH ENGINE". 

NOTE:Unlike browsing through an internet directory, using a "search engine" is
more like searching a library catalog.

Lets try it out!  Use the search engine Infoseek and type in the 2 words
lesson plans in the search box 

FEELING OVERWHELMED?  Don't Give up!

Before you practice using a "search engine", you may want to look over a
list of "boolean operators" - essential to help you find a specific fact in
an avalanche of information.

Now you are really ready to go. 

Below is a list of some good search engines to try out.  Don't forget to use
the most common "booleans", the + and the "Quotes".

Search Engines

	
Infoseek
	
Excite
	
AltaVista
	
Lycos
	
MetaCrawler


On-line Databases - Available At Your Friendly Gananda School Library

The following databases cost money to subscribe to. As all things in life,
you "get what you pay for".  For that reason, these are often better places
to start than free sites.
	
Electric Library - Great Source of reliable information from magazines
                     & reference books.
	
ProQuest Direct - another great source of reliable magazine informtion.
                    This database is geared more for secondary schools.
	
Americana & Grolier - 2 good Encyclopedias on-line.
	


 Activity #5 - Where can I find some great web sites for teachers?

WOW!  Another chance for me to plug the library!  Libraries all over
the world are jumping in to "organize" the internet.  Search the web for a
library that has developed its own web site.   Chances are they will have
thought of you busy teachers.  

Here is a section from the Gananda School Libray Home Page. 

You can use these sites to locate great information on teaching techniques,
educational research, lesson plans, etc.

Teacher Sites of General Interest
  teachers@work

  TEAMS

  Teacher Resource Center

  Curriculum Resources

  Classroom Connect

  Newbery Medal Home Page
 
  The Children's Literature Web Guide

  The WebQuest Page


  
 Activity #6 - Where Can I Find Good Web Sites For Kids?


Here are just a few sites.  There are thousands more!

  Yahooligans! - Yahoo!'s search engine created for kids.
  Lycos Kid Guides - The kids section of the Lycos search engine.
  The Kids.Com - A fun page for elementary students.
  AOL Netfind for Kids - AOL web searching for kids.




EVALUATION


I hope that this tour has been helpful to you.  If this is a workshop, be
sure to fill out an evaluation form.  Please tell me what you would like to
know more about so I can plan future staff development workshops.

If you are doing a self-guided tour, please click on the email hyperlink
below to send me your comments.



    




Gananda Library WebPages designed by
Jacquie Henry, MLS ©1998


Walworth, New York  14568