Basic ICT Course for Teachers of English

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In order to develop activities using the Internet, you have to be able to develop effective searching skills. One of the most important aspects of searching is to know which search engine to use for a particular purpose and how to use that specific search engine. You probably have a lot of experience already with Search Engines but as there is such a wide repertoir of search engines and so many great directories you will sure learn a lot this week, too. It is highly expected that you can fine tune your abilities and the group can share hints and tips with each other so that everyone can surf comfortably.

(1) This webpage The Major Search Engines from SearchEngineWatch.com has a fairly exhaustive list of popular search engines with a brief description of each. Choose two or more and search for the same topic on each engine. 
Choose a subject you’re interested in like: Lizzie Borden, clock, Olympics, Mexico, etc. 
Compare the results. Some are better than others. Some people like one, other people like others. 
                Which one(s) do you like best? Why? 
                Do you think one engine might be better for a specific kind of search than another one?

Why? 

Do you have a favorite Search Engine that isn't mentioned here?

I can also highly recommend NoodleTools - Smart Tools, Smart Research ( Choose a Search Engine and NoodleQuest)!

Have you ever had positive or negative experiences with any of the engines mentioned?
Post your answers in the Nicenet site (http://www.nicenet.org)in our Internet classroom at the Conference site.

(2) There are a number of articles that can help you learn to use Search Engines more efficiently. These articles can help you. Look through them and find the one that helps you the most:

Seven Steps toward Better Searching by Bernie Dodge.

CyberU Index (under the Search Engines and Indicies bulletpoint)

Search Engine Glossary from SearchEngineWatch.com

or

Search Engine Math from SearchEngineWatch.com

When you finish, Do this Worksheet from Seven Steps toward Better Searching by Bernie Dodge. It’s a good way to learn how to phrase your inquiries so that you get the best results. Check your own answers.
Feel free to comment on your results with a MESSAGE.

(3) Supplementary: Here are some links to more sources you might want to look into and add to your favorites / bookmarks: 
ESL Sites-
ESL Sites Suited to Content-Based Instruction, in A Sampling of Web-Based Resources for Content Instruction by Michael Krauss.
Links for teachers-
The Internet TESL Journal's TESL/TEFL/TESOL/ESL/EFL/ESOL Links
Dave's ESL Cafe Web Links 
Linguistic Funland
Tower of English

Search Engine Watch Tips About Internet Search Engines & Search Engine Submission

What are your favorite links? Post them to Link sharing site at our Nicenet classroom. In the Conference site you could go into details and let us know why you like them.

Copyright ©2003 by Janos Blasszauer