Internet Searching

Search Engines vs. Directories:  FYI - Here is the scoop on these two online search tools.  Search engines are created by computer programs "crawling" the web in search for keywords.  Google is an example of a search engine.  Directories, such as Yahoo! are lists of sites that have been collected and complied by humans.  Take a look at Search Engine Watch and Kathy Schrock's Guide links below to help you decide if you should use a search engine or a directory for your information needs. 

Google

MSN

Bing

ASK

These are a few of the top rated search engines.  These "crawl" the web using keywords to select sites.

YAHOO!


This is the most popular directory.  Directories contain a list of sites that have been collected by humans.
 

Search Engine Watch

To find out the latest news about search engines and directories, as well as how to help you conduct quicker and more accurate searches, visit these sites.


Kathy Schrock's Critical Evaluation of Information

This link contains a great guide for website evaluation.  I am sure you have heard the old saying, "Don't believe everything you hear or read."  The same is true for the Internet.  Just because it is on the Internet does not mean that it is true.  Using websites that do not meet specific criteria can be disastrous if you are doing research for a school project. Be sure to evaluate your websites. Check out this link to help you determine if the website you have selected is really what you want and need.    


Online Tutorial  
Concepts of online research - An interactive Tutorial

Website CSI Digital forensic training.  Become website CSI investigators to determine if the website is RAV (reliable, authoritative, valid).  An interactive site.
Searching Techniques  PDF with basic searching techniques that help yield the best results - good for students and teachers alike. (truncation, and, or, unnecessary words, wildcards, nesting). Print for display or as handouts.