Helping Your Student Do Internet Search

Like most of us, when students do an Internet search, they turn to the major search engines such as Google, Yahoo or MSN.  That is such a shame because there are huge differences between search engines and search tools.  These differences often compromise the quality and range of their particular Internet search and the information these searches will provide.

Sure a student can type in an Internet search for halo3 and get a long list of websites but if the student types in “halo3 Master Chief Champs” hoping to find out who the current champions are, the student will have a difficult time finding the right results.  This is where teachers, parents and librarians can help.  By helping your student learn to search the Internet properly, you are helping him or her develops skills such as critical thinking, logical evaluation and search engine strategies.  

What abilities do students need to be successful with Internet research?
The key concepts for mastering Internet research are actually quite straightforward.  These concepts include:

• Alphabetization; classification using hierarchical taxonomies (breaking down topics into subtopics)
• Classification using symbolic systems (such as Dewey Decimal)
• The principles of keyword searching
• How to search by targeting specific domains, such as gov or .edu
• Searching for non-text files, such as video or audio

Students need to have an Internet search strategy
Sometimes teacher’s and librarians take it for granted that students already have this knowledge when in fact they may not have yet learned a systematic approach to Internet search.  The following is a simple but systematic guide that will help your student target his or her Internet search.

1.   Determine the important thought or idea of your search.
2.   Select the keywords that depict or describe these ideas.
3.   Decide if there are synonyms or variations of the keywords.
4.   Consider search features such as proximity, truncation and Boolean operators.
5.   Select a search engine such as Google.
6.   Read the instructions on the home page such as FAQ, help and advanced search.
7.   Create a search expression, using syntax (arrangement).
8.   Evaluate the results as to how many hits were returned and were the results relevant to the query.
9.   Modify your Internet search if necessary.
10.   Try the same Internet search in a different search engine.

For example, if a student is doing Internet research on Jefferson, a broader term would be "presidents," while a narrower term would be Thomas Jefferson.

Many parents and teachers use the Socratic method for inspiring the student to use critical thinking skills for doing a query (Internet search).  The parent or teacher will frame the question in the form of “what is” format.  What is global warming?  What is diabetes?  These types of questions lay the foundation for answering the questions necessary for the homework assignment or school project. 

The parent or teacher will next help the student develop a sound Internet strategy using appropriate keywords to locate the information they are seeking in a search engine.  Having a sound Internet search strategy will help the student be productive the very minute he or she sits down at the computer.  Yahoo is a good search engine or portal) for them to start with because Yahoo is a relatively small search engine.  Small search engines are good for the student so they will not be overwhelmed with large amounts of information. 

The teacher or parent will want to keep their own list of Websites that will help the student achieve their Internet objectives.  For example: Classroom Connect's Internet Homework Helper guide aids middle-year students with homework on the Web.  It helps students to ask experts around the world questions on specific topics; assess the usefulness of any Internet-based information, figure out the best way to get Internet access, and contains numerous other resources.

Students are never to young to learn to do a proper Internet search if monitored by an adult and presented on their own maturation level.  Learning the basics early on will reap a wealth of results and save hours of frustration for both the student and the teacher.