Lesson created by Susan Finn Miller
Lancaster Lebanon IU13 -- International English Training
238 N. George St. Millersville, PA 17551
717-871-0911 finnmiller@ao.com
Searching on the Internet
with Netscape
Grade Level
This activity could be workable with almost any adult education student, but it was developed for an ESL population with little or no Internet experience.
Objectives
Through this lesson learners will learn how to conduct searches on the Internet with Netscape. They will learn vocabulary specifically related to the computer and the Internet. Students will learn something about American Thanksgiving traditions, and they will enjoy discovering sites of personal interest.
Materials & Procedures
This lesson introduces the student to searching on the Internet with Netscape. The first handout is meant to be used while the teacher models how to do an Internet search. This is easy to do if there is a projector available. Students can either watch the screen or follow on their own computers. They should complete the handout with the teacher. The second handout details Netscape's most useful buttons. It helps to read this aloud while modeling what each button can do. The other two handouts follow the same format as the first. Students use and complete these handouts when they conduct their own searches. Their assignments include finding an interesting Thanksgiving Web site to share with the class and making Netscape Bookmarks and a written list of favorite Web sites on any topic of interest.
To cover the materials adequately will take at least two hours. After modeling how to do a search and explaining Netscape's buttons, the students will begin conducting their own searches. The teacher at this point becomes a facilitator and troubleshooter, assisting individual students with their searches. In the last half hour, the teacher can ask students to share some of their favorite Thanksgiving sites which can be projected for the whole class. Certain pages could also be printed for later reading and in-class lessons -- the possibilities are endless.
Evaluation
The evaluation includes checking to see that the students completed the assigned tasks: choosing sites of personal interst and writing a list and making Bookmarks, and choosing a favorite Thanksgiving site. .
Searching on the Internet
with Netscape
I. Acceptable Use Policy
1. The computer lab can only be used for educational purposes.
2. Users must treat the equipment with respect.
3. Users cannot search for material on the Internet which is obscene or offensive.
4. All users must follow these rules, or they will be asked to leave the lab and will not be allowed to use the computers again.
II. Modeling a Search
1. Choosing a search engine: We chose _____________________________________________
(Check Netscape's directory or type an address in the URL location box, for example Alta Vista http://altavista.digital.com or Yahoo! http://www.yahoo.com)
2. Typing a search in the box: We typed ____________________________________________
3. Reading and understanding the results of our search
Our search found _________ documents (Web pages). Scroll to the bottom of the screen. How many pages of results did we get? 1-10 ___over 10 _____ over 20 _____
4. Refining (broadening and/ or narrowing) our search using Boolean techniques:
(Be careful to check your spelling.)
We typed __________________________________________________________________________
A. Use the word OR to search for more than one word.
For example, when you type Thanksgiving OR traditions you are telling the computer to search for all sites that have either or both of these words.
B. Use the plus + sign (or the word AND) to search for more than one word.
For example, when you type Thanksgiving +traditions you are telling the computer to search for all sites that have both of these words.
C. Use the minus - sign to exclude or leave words out.
For example, when you type Thanksgiving -recipes you are telling the computer to search for sites that have the word "Thanksgiving" but NOT have the word "recipes."
D. Use "quotation marks" to search for phrases.
For example, when you type "origin of Thanksgiving" the computer will find sites that use these exact words.
5. Reading and understanding the results of our search
Our search found __________________________________________ documents this time.
How many pages of results did we get this time? 1-10 ____ over 10 _____ over 20 ______
6. Connecting to sites
(When you click on the highlighted (different colored) words, Netscape will take you there.)
The first site we looked at was ________________________________________________________
7. Connecting to links
(Links are marked with different colors. When you click on a link, Netscape will take you there.)
The first link we chose was ___________________________________________________________
The second link we chose ____________________________________________________________
The third link we chose ______________________________________________________________
8. Typing an address or URL location
When you know the URL location of an Internet site, highlight the address box by clicking on it. Now you can type in the address. Check your typing very carefully. When you hit enter, Netscape will take you to that site.
Netscape's
Most Useful Buttons
1. Making Bookmarks
Using Bookmarks with Netscape is a lot like using a bookmark to mark your place in a book. When you put a bookmark in a book, you don't have to remember where you were reading because the place is marked. This saves a lot of time. Netscape's Bookmarks help you remember sites on the Internet that you may want to visit again. You save a lot of time because you don't have to do another search or remember the exact location. Your Bookmarks will stay on the computer until you or someone else takes them off.
To make a bookmark, use your mouse to point and click on the Bookmark button at the top of your screen. Hold down the mouse. You will read "Add Bookmark." Drag down until the words "Add Bookmark"are highlighted (the words will change to black). Take your finger off the mouse. When you hold the Bookmark button down again, you will see the name of the Internet site you added to the list of bookmarks. Anytime you want to visit that site again, just click on the Bookmark button and drag down until the site you want is highlighted. Netscape will take you to that site immediately. Remember to make a Bookmark every time you find a cool site! Making Bookmarks is a great way to keep a list of your favorite Internet sites.
2. The "Back" and "Forward" Buttons
When you are "surfing the net," you will probably visit a lot of different sites. Each site or link that you visit is like a page in a book. When you read a book it is easy to turn back to a page you have already read. You can do the same thing with Netscape. Click on the "Back" button to go back. Click on the "Forward" button to go forward.
3. The "Go" Button
The "Go" button keeps a record of all the places you have visited on the Internet since you started Netscape. The "Go" button works similar to the Bookmark button. When you click on the "Go" button and hold it down, you will read the names of all the sites you have visited. By dragging down to the name of a site, Netscape will take you there again immediately. The "Go" list is different from the Bookmark list because when you quit Netscape, the "Go" list is lost.
4. The "Stop" button
Sometimes Netscape is very slow. When Netscape is very slow and you don't want to wait, you can stop your search by clicking on the "Stop" button then try a new search or click on a different link.
Doing
a Search for Cool Thanksgiving Sites
1. Choosing a search engine: I chose _______________________________________________ (Check Netscape's directory or type an address in the URL location box, for example Alta Vista http://altavista.digital.com or Yahoo! http://www.yahoo.com)
2. Typing a search in the box: I typed ______________________________________________
3. Reading and understanding the results of my search
My search found _________ documents (Web pages). Scroll to the bottom of the screen. How many pages of results did I get? 1-10 ____ over 10 _____ over 20 _____
4. Refining (broadening and/ or narrowing) my search using Boolean techniques:
(Be careful to check your spelling.)
I typed _____________________________________________________________________________
5. Reading and understanding the results of my search
My search found __________________________________________ documents this time.
How many pages of results did I get this time? 1-10 ___ over 10 ____ over 20 _____
6. Looking at sites
The first site I looked at was _________________________________________________________
7. Connecting to links
(Links are marked with different colors. When you click on a link, Netscape will take you there.)
The first link I chose was ____________________________________________________________
The second link I chose _____________________________________________________________
The third link I chose ________________________________________________________________
8. My coolest Thanksgiving site:
Write the title and URL location here. _________________________________________________
Doing
My Own Search
1. Choosing a search engine: I chose _______________________________________________
(Check Netscape's directory or type an address in the URL location box, for example Alta Vista http://altavista.digital.com or Yahoo! http://www.yahoo.com)
2. Typing a search in the box: I typed ______________________________________________
3. Reading and understanding the results of my search
My search found _________ documents (Web pages). Scroll to the bottom of the screen. How many pages of results did I get? 1-10 ___ over 10 ___ over 20 ____
4. Refining (broadening and/ or narrowing) my search using Boolean techniques:
(Be careful to check your spelling.)
I typed _____________________________________________________________________________
5. Reading and understanding the results of my search
My search found __________________________________________ documents this time.
How many pages of results did I get this time? 1-10 ___over 10 ____ over 20 _____
6. Looking at sites
The first site I looked at was _________________________________________________________
7. Connecting to links
(Links are marked with different colors. When you click on a link, Netscape will take you there.)
The first link I chose was ____________________________________________________________
The second link I chose _____________________________________________________________
The third link I chose ________________________________________________________________
8. My favorite sites
The most interesting sites I found today were: (write the titles and the URL locations here)
1. ___________________________________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________________________________
4. ___________________________________________________________________________
5. ___________________________________________________________________________