Class One: Begin to Search the Web

Lesson One : SEARCHING THE WEB

Objectives: Comparing different search engines and their results. You will learn the basics about how they function and what the difference in their results can mean. You will compare classic search engines to more specialized search engines and meta-search engines. Then you will do some library searching using internal search tools to find the catalogue and different available documents as well as further information to help with your research.

Research Techniques and Search Engines: Vocabulary to know: backbone, bookmark, copy, domain name, email account, FAQ sheet, file, firewall, hit, homepage, hub, hypertext, ISP (internet service provider), login, keyword, password, paste, protocol, research (undénombrable, singulier), to search for, search engine, server, tool bar, username, user-interface, webmail, website.

Part 1: Discussion (do not turn on the computers, this is the interactive part with the teacher)

1.What is the definition of a keyword?

It is also important to be VERY specific with the keywords you choose (don’t write in a whole sentence, for example, only the essential words. Try different combinations of words for different results.)

Exercise: What keyword or keywords would you use to find out:

The first president of the United States?

What is the definition of the word “mash”? What is its computer related definition?

Where can you find information about the city of Atlanta?

NOTE: if you want to find pages in English, the best way is to use English keywords. The same is true in Spanish or in German and also, of course, in French.

Part 2. Turn on the computers

Find out how Americans spend their time online:

http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_SearchData_1105.pdf

How many people used search engines each day in 2005? Approximately 30 million, 40 million, 50 million, 60 million or 70 million people?

What is the most common activity people engage in on Internet?

What are the 8 most common search engines?

Homework

Write a short paragraph in English (100 words) about how YOU use the Internet or why you use the internet.

Dans votre texte, expliquez comment vous utilisez l’internet ou votre ordinateur, le temps que vous passez par jour ou par semaine sur internet et si vous participez aux activités interactives en ligne. Cependant, un essai de 100 mots est très court. Vous n’êtes pas obligés de TOUT expliquer. Structurez votre rédaction avec une introduction, quelques arguments et une conclusion. N’oubliez pas des mots de liaison entre les phrases et paragraphes. Soignez bien votre anglais mais c’est un travail personnel avec vos propres idées.

Read

- Chapters 1: What’s the Internet (This handout is a reference guide for you for the semester)
- “How Google Works”, abridged from The Economist, 18 September 2004, Technology Quarterly p. 26. (www.economist.com):

Learn this vocabulary for next week: “Be a searcher not a surfer” site : http://www-chi.nearnorth.edu.on.ca/bttcourse/Course%20Instruction/Unit%204/Internet/Internet1.htm

OPTIONAL ARTICLE: Small sites boosted by search engines too, by Kurt Kleiner, NewScientist.com New Service, 7 August 2006.