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Activity 1: Your first search

Initial Search: 30 mins
Group interaction: 45 mins
Second search: 45 mins
website evaluation: 15 mins
Second group interactive: 45 mins

     

3 hrs



 

The purpose of this activity is for you to learn to use a search engine to find information.

If you are not sure what a search engine is, we recommend: 

Optional reading:

Click on What is a search engine? if you would like to know what a search is.

AskJeeves is the name given to the first search engine to which we  introduce you. When using AskJeeves in the activity, follow the steps given in Using AskJeeves.

Your first search

Use your e-diary to make initial comments about the activity. If this is the first time that you are using the e-diary in this module click here to open the e-diary, save it to your personal folder after writing your comments.
  1. Use AskJeeves to do a search on Nelson Mandela. You should type the question: Who is Nelson Mandela?

  2. Write to your group, and comment as follows:
2a. What information did you find useful?
 
2b. Did you find information on Nelson Mandela?
 
2c. Name two sites that you found were useful. Give the WEB SITE TITLE and address when you write about it.
 
2d. AskJeeves might suggest sites that were not useful. Was this the case for you?
 
2e. Did you have any problems with this activity? Share any comments - frustrations or excitement - with the group.
  1. If you have enjoyed using Ask Jeeves then you might like to experiment with asking another question on the topic that interests you.

  2. Optional Activity: Use the web site evaluation form if you find sites that are particularly good. Click on submit once you have completed the form.

  3. Write to your group and make comments about the success of your search by answering questions such as these:

    What did you find that was useful?
    Were there any frustrations? - Did you have to change your search question?
    If so, how did you change the question?
    Were the results better?

  4. Respond to the mail you receive from your group if youhave ideas or advice to share with them.

Use your e-diary to make closing comments about the activity.
 


NEXT

When you have completed the above activity, we suggest that you read this short article on how and why we use search engines.

 
Finding Information
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