Explore+the+World+Wide+Web+and+Search+Engines


 * The Internet**

List at least three ways in which you currently use the internet. Sites such as Google Maps or Mapquest to get directions or see satellite or street view images of anywhere in the country.
 * Address and telephone number lookup sites such as Switchboard or Yellow Pages to get personal and business information.
 * Sites such as the Internet Movie Database to get information on movies and television shows.
 * Sites such as Dictionary and Thesaurus to look up the meaning or spelling of a word or to find a synonym of a word.
 * Encyclopedic sites such as Wikipedia, Encyclopedia Britannica, or How Stuff Works to find an overview of a particular topic.
 * The Wayback Machine which stores snapshots of websites on various dates so that you can “go back in time” to see a site as it used to be.
 * Video-based information sources such as YouTube and Howcast


 * Assignment**
 * Use Google maps and StreetView to find and display where they live or the location of the school.
 * Use Wikipedia and Encyclopedia Britannica to compare the two articles and decide which provides more information.
 * Use the Wayback Machine to view an early version of the school (or any other) website. Compare how much it has changed from the school’s current website.

Students work in groups on three different **Web 2.0 applications**. Applications should include a social bookmarking site (delicious.com or stumbleupon.com), a word cloud site (wordle.net) and a list creation site (tadalist.com).

Each group should: Answer the following questions:
 * Set up an account in the application.
 * Explore the site and its features.
 * Prepare a presentation on their site for the remainder of the class.
 * What are the differences between ranking based and social bookmarking search engines?
 * Why would you want to create word clouds?
 * What are the advantages of using tadalist? Disadvantages?
 * What issues might there be with creating accounts online?
 * Online privacy—what information should be kept private and why?
 * What is encryption?


 * Why do you need to evaluate websites?**
 * Web site evaluation criteria
 * Visit @http://www.martinlutherking.org This is a website which purports to be a “True Historical Examination” of the life of Martin Luther King, Jr., but is, in reality, a hateful site run by a white nationalist organization.
 * This particular site is obviously biased. However, it is important to be able to tell when a site is more subtly biased.
 * Brainstorm criteria to evaluate websites.
 * Work in groups and ask them to use the website evaluation rubric to evaluate websites they might need for a school project or an assignment from another class.

The Internet Scavenger Hunt
In your group, use the internet to find the following items. For each item include the steps you took to find each item. 1. A picture of the mayor of your town or city 2. A bus schedule 3. The address of the Chamber of Commerce for your town or city 4. A map of your state—and you have to point out where your town or city is! 5. A copy of the front page of your town’s or city’s web site 6. Something in writing that tells how many people live in the city 7. A picture of any historical landmark in the city 8. A picture of your congressman 9. A program or flyer from a local arts event 10. The names of all the city council members 11. Something that gives information about your local hospital 12. A list of schools in your town or city 13. The phone number of the local police department 14. Anything with the colors or mascot of a local college or community college 15. A picture of the state flag 16. A picture of the state bird 17. A schedule of activities or a pamphlet from a local nursing home or senior citizens center 18. A sticker or button from a local election 19. A list of safety tips from the local fire department 20. A speech by your governor

Sample Website Evaluation Rubric

 * **Authority**

Is the author identified?

Does the author have appropriate qualifications with respect to the information being presented? || Yes

Yes || No

No || Unsure

Unsure ||
 * **Purpose**

Is the purpose to inform or give factual information? || Yes || No || Unsure ||
 * **Coverage**

Is the information primary or secondary in nature?

Is the information presented comparable to information on the same topic presented by other sites? || Yes

Yes || No

No || Unsure

Unsure ||
 * **Accuracy**

Is the information free of factual errors?

Do the conclusions appear to be well-reasoned and supported by the facts presented?

Is the information properly referenced? || Yes

Yes

Yes || No

No

No || Unsure

Unsure

Unsure ||
 * **Objectivity**

Is the information free from obvious bias?

Does the author avoid the use of emotional or inflammatory language?

Does the author avoid trying to sell something or persuade the reader of a particular viewpoint? || Yes

Yes

Yes || No

No

No || Unsure

Unsure

Unsure ||
 * **Currency**

Is the information up-to-date?

Are there creation and revision dates? || Yes

Yes || No

No || Unsure

Unsure ||
 * **Appearance**

Does the site have a professional appearance?

Does it use proper grammar, spelling, and composition? || Yes

Yes || No

No || Unsure

Unsure ||

Resources:
 * Sample Scavenger Hunt
 * The Wayback Machine: @http://www.archive.org
 * Google Maps (including StreetView): @http://maps.google.com
 * Wikipedia: @http://www.wikipedia.org
 * Encyclopedia Britannica: @http://www.britannica.com
 * Mapquest: @http://www.mapquest.com
 * Internet Movie Database: @http://www.imdb.com
 * Switchboard: @http://www.switchboard.com
 * Yellow Pages: @http://www.yellowpages.com
 * How Stuff Works: @http://www.howstuffworks.com
 * YouTube: @http://www.youtube.com
 * Howcast: @http://howcast.com
 * http://www.delicious.com
 * @http://www.stumbleupon.com
 * @http://www.wordle.net
 * @http://www.tadalist.com
 * The white nationalist site on Martin Luther King, Jr.: @http://www.martinlutherking.org