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Using the Internet for Research
People usually think of the Internet as a research tool. Finding, evaluating, and interpreting relevant online information is a critical skill for success in school and in real life. However, effective use of the Internet goes beyond conducting research. New Web
technologies provide collaborative environments in which individuals interact with other users and contribute to Web content. In this activity, you explore ways in which learners can use the Internet to conduct research. In later activities, you explore how the Internet helps learners communicate and collaborate with others.
Step 1: Locating Internet Resources
Using Search Engines
Popular search engines, such as  www.google.com, www.yahoo.com, and www.bing.com, guide users as they search for information on the Internet. Unstructured searching
provides infinite opportunities for off-task behaviour, but when learners search
effectively, they find a wide variety of relevant and reliable websites to help them with their research.
Read more...
 Brainstorm keywords you could use to find information on topics in your project and then choose a search engine to conduct your search.
- Tag or bookmark any websites you might like to use. You may lke to look at additional
resources and activities to help you improve your search in the Search Process.
 Classroom Tip: Learners can share resources they find with their classmates through the sharing feature of most tagging or bookmarking sites. Teachers can share in the MyLinks section of the Communities
@ SchoolNet.
Searching Specialized Sites
If you are researching an unusual subject or you want to make sure your sites are age-
appropriate, you may want to use a specialized search engine. Review the specialized search resources. You will find the following:
- Specialty search engines (such as www.scirus.com for science searches)
- Learner-friendly search engines (such as www.yahooligans.com)
- Educational sites sorted by grade level and subject area (such as http://mathforum.org/dr.math)
Classroom Tip: As learners use Internet resources for their own research, provide them with explicit instruction on how to locate relevant, high quality information to help them use online time efficiently.
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