Tools of the Trade: Inquiry

CECS 5030: Introduction to the InternetDr. Cathleen Norris & Jennifer Smolka

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Essential Questions

What tools do I need to be familiar with to search on the Internet?

How are these tools different? How are they similar?

How do I choose which tool to use?What are the techniques needed for a

good search?

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Objectives

Develop skills for using the Internet for educational research purposes.

Obtain uniform resource locators (URLs) and distinguish among the protocols including: Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) Gopher File Transfer Protocol (FTP) Telnet Wide Area Information System (WAIS)

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Objectives

Construct a Web search using Boolean constructs including AND, OR, and NOT.

Compare the relative strengths and weaknesses of leading Web search engines and their popular implements in terms of breadth and relevancy.

Use the APA Guide to correctly write citations.

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Objectives

Use strategies to locate and acquire desired information from collaborative software and on networks, including the Internet and intranets.

Apply appropriate electronic search strategies in the acquisition of information, including keyword and Boolean search strategies.

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Tools for Inquiry

NavigatingBrowsingSearchingBookmarkingResearchCitations

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Navigating

URL (Uniform Resource Locator)example:

Hyperlinks (Click and Go)example:

Get to the sites by:

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Navigating

Web sites can be: Linear Hierarchical Webbed

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Browsing is …

The “I’m Just Looking” TheoryHaving a Key Place to StartThe “Scent of Knowledge”

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Searching

Search Engines Google Yahoo Excite Altavista Ask Jeeves Northern Light And many more.

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A list of search tools is available on the Resources page.

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Searching

KeywordsBoolean

AND OR NOT

Search Math + -

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Bookmarking

Remember important URLs.Saving favorite places.Organizing bookmarks.Sharing bookmarks.

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Research

Online Libraries UNT Electronic Resources The US Library of Congress

Subscription ServicesOnline Journals

Links are available on the Resources page.

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Citations - APA

Why Is There a Specific APA Style? An author writing for a publication must

follow the rules established by the publisher to avoid inconsistencies among journal articles or book chapters.

APA style focuses on the needs of presenting psychological information.

More information is available linked on the Resources page.

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The Big Six

Skills for Informational Problem SolvingTask DefinitionInformation SeekingLocating and AccessingUse of InformationOrganizing and CommunicatingEvaluation

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Big Six:Task Definition

Know the purpose. Formal or Informal Casual or Concrete Qualitative or Quantitative Personal or Professional Education or Business

What is the finished product?

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Big Six:Information Seeking

Match the inquiry technique with purpose.

Include other sources. Primary Secondary

Favorite starting places.Structured vs. Unstructured.

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Big Six:Information Seeking

Do students search, browse or follow instructions?

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Big Six: Locating & Accessing Resources

Computer Literacy Skills Skills with the browser Downloading and installing plug-ins Trouble shooting

Scaffolding tasksBuild into authentic tasksSharing search topics

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Big Six:Using Internet Information

Processing & ExtractingReliable sources

Personal, Professional, and Government

Slant or Bias Commercialization

Critical ThinkingCiting Internet Sources

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Big Six:Evaluating Web Information

Is the information Accurate? Relevant?

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Expected Outcomes

Use of Netscape or Internet Explorer.Ability to gather sites for a particular

topic.Familiar with research information.Utilize Boolean and other search

strategies.

Credits

The Technology Leadership Institute (TLI) is funded by the United States Department of Education's Preparing Tomorrow's Teachers to use Technology (PT3) Program (Catalyst grant - P342A990323).The Technology Applications Certifications

Program is funded in part by the Technology Infrastructure Fund.