<%@LANGUAGE="JAVASCRIPT" CODEPAGE="1252"%> Internet Workshop October 2002

Internet Workshop

Search Techniques

  • Use the Rancho web site. (www.rres.srvusd.k12.ca.us)
  • For general subjects use a directory
  • For specific information use a search
    • General Search or boolean (And, Or, Not)
    • Natural language search

Search Tips

  • Begin with a directory
  • For specific information remember to add search terms to avoid too many unwanted results
  • Identify and question results for sponsored sites.


Saving, Printing and Taking Notes

  • Use Control-F to find a word in a page.
  • Save as (web page complete, HTML only, Text)
  • Printing: use print preview to save paper. Print only what you need.
  • Taking Notes
    • Copy and paste words and pictures into WordPad (programs>Accessories> WordPad)
      • Highlight text and select Edit > Copy. Paste into WordPad.
      • Right-click on a picture. Select Copy from the pop up menu. Paste into WordPad.

Technology Literacy Skills

Five Criteria for evaluating web sites

  1. Accuracy
  2. Authority
  3. Currency
  4. Objectivity
  5. Coverage

Checklist for evaluating web sites

What can the web address tell you?
Who wrote the page? Is he, she, or the organization a qualified authority?
Is it dated? Current, timely?
Does the information seem authentic?
Does the page have overall integrity and reliability as a source?
What's the bias?
Could the page or site be a joke or spoof?
If you have questions or reservations, how can you satisfy them?

Activities

#1 Evaluate web sites

Which ones are real and which ones contain false information? Visit the web sites below and place a check mark in the correct box.

Web Site   Accurate Inaccurate
http://www.d-b.net/dti/  
http://www.wto.org/  
http://www.gatt.org/  
http://www.theonion.com/onion3527/jarjar_merchandise.html  
http://www.filmsite.org/adve.html  

More web sites for practicing your skills.
Web evaluation worksheet handout. View/Print this worksheet. (Courtesy of Chico Unified School District.)

#2 Take the Children's Internet Safety Quiz, read about chat room safety and then investigate parental filtering software for the home.
Internet Safety Quiz (http://www.missingkids.com/quiz/internetquiz.html)


Internet Security:


Parental filters and tracking

Note: Filtering software is not perfect nor a substitute for parental supervision.

Chat room safety Tips

  • See if the chat room is monitored by whomever operates it and whether any steps are taken to remove people for inappropriate behavior.
  • Teach your children not to rely on what other people say or even who they claim to be since it may not be true.
  • Make sure your kids know never to agree to a face-to-face meeting with someone they only know through a chat room.
  • Be sure your children know never to give out personal information such as name, address, or telephone number while in a chat room.
  • Teach your children not to use online aliases that reveal their real name, age, or address. For example, a 10 year-old girl named Jane Smith from Austin, Texas, should not choose an online identity like: "Jane10," or "JaneSmith," or "JaneAustin."