Web Search #1
Search Topic: American Civil War
Search Terms: American Civil War, Gettysburg
Type of Search: Subject
Search Engine: Yahoo!
|
Attempt |
Search Terms and Operators Used |
Number of Hits |
Quality of Hits |
|
1 |
Civil War |
1,052 |
Good |
|
2 |
American Civil War |
434 |
Excellent |
|
3 |
American Civil War and Gettysburg |
21 |
Excellent |
Title of site: Three Days At Gettysburg
Subject of site: Gettysburg
URL (address): http://www.rockingham.k12.va.us/EMS/Gettysburg/Gettysburg.html
Considered for use with (class & grade level):5th and 6th Grade
Specific objective for using this site: Tutorial Tool
Notes on possible uses of this site and URL's for individual site pages:
Teaches day by day events of Gettysburg and the people that were involved in this battle. Includes Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.
Evaluate the Web site you are considering for instructional use according to
the criteria described below. Circle the number which you feel the site
deserves for each category: 5 = Excellent and 1 = Poor.
1. Speed
-The home page downloads efficiently enough to 5 4 3 2 1
use during whole class instruction.
-The home page downloads efficiently enough to 5 4 3 2 1
keep students on task during independent/small
group study.
2. First impression - general appearance
-The home page is designed attractively and will 5 4 3 2 1
entice my students to further exploration.
-The home page is designed clearly enough to be 5 4 3 2 1
successfully manipulated by my intended users.
3. Ease of site navigation
-My students will be able to move from page to 5 4 3 2 1
page, link to link, item to item with ease,
without getting lost or confused.
-All links are clearly labeled and serve an 5 4 3 2 1
easily identified purpose.
-Links provided to other pages and sites operate 5 4 3 2 1
efficiently enough to keep my students on task.
4. Use of graphics/sounds/videos
-The graphics/sounds/videos are clearly labeled, 5 4 3 2 1
clearly identified.
-The graphics/sounds/videos serve a clear purpose 5 4 3 2 1
appropriate for my intended audience.
-The graphics/sounds/videos will aid my students in 5 4 3 2 1
reaching the desired objectives for using this site.
5. Content/Information
-This site offers a wealth of information related 5 4 3 2 1
to my stated objectives.
-The information is clearly labeled and organized, 5 4 3 2 1
and will be easily understood by my students.
-The content of linked sites is worthwhile and 5 4 3 2 1
appropriate for my intended audience.
-The content of linked sites adds to the value of 5 4 3 2 1
this site for achieving my instructional goals.
-The information providers are clearly identified. 5 4 3 2 1
-The information providers are reliable. 5 4 3 2 1
-The content is free of bias, or the bias will be 5 4 3 2 1
clearly recognized by my students.
-This site provides interactivity which increases 5 4 3 2 1
its instructional value.
6. Currency - The site was recently revised. 5 4 3 2 1
7. Availability of further information
-A contact person or address is readily available. 5 4 3 2 1
8. Add the total number of points you awarded to this site and determine your
overall WWW Cyberguide rating. For any specific category that did not
apply to this site, deduct five points from the total possible points.
96 WWWWW's = (100-91 points) - This site is so well-designed, and so
effectively meets my instructional goals, that I can provide my
students with general instructions and allow free exploration.
____WWWW's = (90-76 points) - This site contains good material but a
site map with specific directions will assist my students in
reaching the stated objectives.
____WWW's = (75-61 points) This site contains information that will make
stops at designated points worthwhile, but students will
need more structured guidance to reach my instructional goals.
A list of bookmarks to specific pages and/or links is advisable,
as is frequent discussion of student progress.
____WW's = (60-46 points) Although useful information exists at this site,
its most effective contribution to my objectives will be in
whole-class instruction where I can guide exploration and keep
students on task.
____W = (45-31 points) This site contains a few pieces of information
that make it a possible alternative when other sources are
not readily available. Supervised student use is advised.
Web Search #2
Search Topic: American Civil War
Search Terms: American Civil War, Gettysburg
Type of Search: Keyword
Search Engine: Lycos
|
Attempt |
Search Terms and Operators Used |
Number of Hits |
Quality of Hits |
|
1 |
Civil War |
100,887 |
Good |
|
2 |
American Civil War |
48,770 |
Good |
|
3 |
American Civil War and Gettysburg |
2,145 |
Excellent |
Title of site: The American Civil War
Subject of site: American Civil War
URL (address): http://tqjunior.thinkquest.org/5663/
Considered for use with (class & grade level): 5th and 6th Grade
Specific objective for using this site: Tutorial Tool
Notes on possible uses of this site and URL's for individual site pages:
Good information. Included games and many links.
Evaluate the Web site you are considering for instructional use according to
the criteria described below. Circle the number which you feel the site
deserves for each category: 5 = Excellent and 1 = Poor.
1. Speed
-The home page downloads efficiently enough to 5 4 3 2 1
use during whole class instruction.
-The home page downloads efficiently enough to 5 4 3 2 1
keep students on task during independent/small
group study.
2. First impression - general appearance
-The home page is designed attractively and will 5 4 3 2 1
entice my students to further exploration.
-The home page is designed clearly enough to be 5 4 3 2 1
successfully manipulated by my intended users.
3. Ease of site navigation
-My students will be able to move from page to 5 4 3 2 1
page, link to link, item to item with ease,
without getting lost or confused.
-All links are clearly labeled and serve an 5 4 3 2 1
easily identified purpose.
-Links provided to other pages and sites operate 5 4 3 2 1
efficiently enough to keep my students on task.
4. Use of graphics/sounds/videos
-The graphics/sounds/videos are clearly labeled, 5 4 3 2 1
clearly identified.
-The graphics/sounds/videos serve a clear purpose 5 4 3 2 1
appropriate for my intended audience.
-The graphics/sounds/videos will aid my students in 5 4 3 2 1
reaching the desired objectives for using this site.
5. Content/Information
-This site offers a wealth of information related 5 4 3 2 1
to my stated objectives.
-The information is clearly labeled and organized, 5 4 3 2 1
and will be easily understood by my students.
-The content of linked sites is worthwhile and 5 4 3 2 1
appropriate for my intended audience.
-The content of linked sites adds to the value of 5 4 3 2 1
this site for achieving my instructional goals.
-The information providers are clearly identified. 5 4 3 2 1
-The information providers are reliable. 5 4 3 2 1
-The content is free of bias, or the bias will be 5 4 3 2 1
clearly recognized by my students.
-This site provides interactivity which increases 5 4 3 2 1
its instructional value.
6. Currency - The site was recently revised. 5 4 3 2 1
7. Availability of further information
-A contact person or address is readily available. 5 4 3 2 1
8. Add the total number of points you awarded to this site and determine your
overall WWW Cyberguide rating. For any specific category that did not
apply to this site, deduct five points from the total possible points.
93 WWWWW's = (100-91 points) - This site is so well-designed, and so
effectively meets my instructional goals, that I can provide my
students with general instructions and allow free exploration.
____WWWW's = (90-76 points) - This site contains good material but a
site map with specific directions will assist my students in
reaching the stated objectives.
____WWW's = (75-61 points) This site contains information that will make
stops at designated points worthwhile, but students will
need more structured guidance to reach my instructional goals.
A list of bookmarks to specific pages and/or links is advisable,
as is frequent discussion of student progress.
____WW's = (60-46 points) Although useful information exists at this site,
its most effective contribution to my objectives will be in
whole-class instruction where I can guide exploration and keep
students on task.
____W = (45-31 points) This site contains a few pieces of information
that make it a possible alternative when other sources are
not readily available. Supervised student use is advised.
Web Search #3
Search Topic: American Civil War
Search Terms: American Civil War, Gettysburg
Type of Search: Metasearch
Search Engine: Dogpile
Attempt #1 – Civil War
|
Search Engines Dogpile Uses |
Number of Hits |
Quality of Hits |
|
Looksmart |
1,623 |
Good |
|
Go To.Com |
10 or more |
Good |
|
Dogpile Web Catalogue |
5,000 |
Good |
|
Dogpile Open Directory |
1,337 |
Good |
|
|
222,000 |
Poor |
|
Infoseek |
10 or more |
Excellent |
|
Real Names |
10 |
Excellent |
|
Direct hit |
10 |
Excellent |
|
Lycos |
10 or more |
Good |
|
Yahoo! |
1,112 |
Good |
|
Alta Vista |
409,168 |
Poor |
Attempt #2 – American Civil War
|
Search Engines Dogpile Uses |
Number of Hits |
Quality of Hits |
|
Looksmart |
195 |
Good |
|
Go To.Com |
10 or more |
Good |
|
Dogpile Web Catalogue |
5,000 |
Good |
|
Dogpile Open Directory |
218 |
Good |
|
|
27,000 |
Good |
|
Infoseek |
10 or more |
Excellent |
|
Real Names |
10 |
Good |
|
Direct hit |
10 |
Good |
|
Lycos |
10 or more |
Poor |
|
Yahoo! |
445 |
Excellent |
|
Alta Vista |
41,226 |
Good |
Attempt #3 – American Civil War and Gettysburg
|
Search Engines Dogpile Uses |
Number of Hits |
Quality of Hits |
|
Looksmart |
39 |
Excellent |
|
Go To.Com |
10 or more |
Excellent |
|
Dogpile Web Catalogue |
619 |
Excellent |
|
Dogpile Open Directory |
11 |
Excellent |
|
|
11,400 |
Good |
|
Infoseek |
10 or more |
Excellent |
|
Real Names |
10 |
Good |
|
Direct hit |
10 |
Good |
|
Lycos |
10 or more |
Excellent |
|
Yahoo! |
23 |
Excellent |
|
Alta Vista |
176,514 |
Poor |
Title of site: The American Civil War
Subject of site: American Civil War
URL (address): http://www.americancivilwar.com/
Considered for use with (class & grade level): 5th and 6th Grades
Specific objective for using this site: Tutorial Tool
Notes on possible uses of this site and URL's for individual site pages:
Good site. Lots of information as well as links. The graphics include people, maps, and flags. Music.
Evaluate the Web site you are considering for instructional use according to
the criteria described below. Circle the number which you feel the site
deserves for each category: 5 = Excellent and 1 = Poor.
1. Speed
-The home page downloads efficiently enough to 5 4 3 2 1
use during whole class instruction.
-The home page downloads efficiently enough to 5 4 3 2 1
keep students on task during independent/small
group study.
2. First impression - general appearance
-The home page is designed attractively and will 5 4 3 2 1
entice my students to further exploration.
-The home page is designed clearly enough to be 5 4 3 2 1
successfully manipulated by my intended users.
3. Ease of site navigation
-My students will be able to move from page to 5 4 3 2 1
page, link to link, item to item with ease,
without getting lost or confused.
-All links are clearly labeled and serve an 5 4 3 2 1
easily identified purpose.
-Links provided to other pages and sites operate 5 4 3 2 1
efficiently enough to keep my students on task.
4. Use of graphics/sounds/videos
-The graphics/sounds/videos are clearly labeled, 5 4 3 2 1
clearly identified.
-The graphics/sounds/videos serve a clear purpose 5 4 3 2 1
appropriate for my intended audience.
-The graphics/sounds/videos will aid my students in 5 4 3 2 1
reaching the desired objectives for using this site.
5. Content/Information
-This site offers a wealth of information related 5 4 3 2 1
to my stated objectives.
-The information is clearly labeled and organized, 5 4 3 2 1
and will be easily understood by my students.
-The content of linked sites is worthwhile and 5 4 3 2 1
appropriate for my intended audience.
-The content of linked sites adds to the value of 5 4 3 2 1
this site for achieving my instructional goals.
-The information providers are clearly identified. 5 4 3 2 1
-The information providers are reliable. 5 4 3 2 1
-The content is free of bias, or the bias will be 5 4 3 2 1
clearly recognized by my students.
-This site provides interactivity which increases 5 4 3 2 1
its instructional value.
6. Currency - The site was recently revised. 5 4 3 2 1
7. Availability of further information
-A contact person or address is readily available. 5 4 3 2 1
8. Add the total number of points you awarded to this site and determine your
overall WWW Cyberguide rating. For any specific category that did not
apply to this site, deduct five points from the total possible points.
96 WWWWW's = (100-91 points) - This site is so well-designed, and so
effectively meets my instructional goals, that I can provide my
students with general instructions and allow free exploration.
____WWWW's = (90-76 points) - This site contains good material but a
site map with specific directions will assist my students in
reaching the stated objectives.
____WWW's = (75-61 points) This site contains information that will make
stops at designated points worthwhile, but students will
need more structured guidance to reach my instructional goals.
A list of bookmarks to specific pages and/or links is advisable,
as is frequent discussion of student progress.
____WW's = (60-46 points) Although useful information exists at this site,
its most effective contribution to my objectives will be in
whole-class instruction where I can guide exploration and keep
students on task.
____W = (45-31 points) This site contains a few pieces of information
that make it a possible alternative when other sources are
not readily available. Supervised student use is advised.
Conclusion
The search I liked the best was the subject search. It was easy and effective for me to use, and I feel that it would be the same for elementary children. After doing a subject search, you are able to narrow it down to certain keywords.
Doing a metasearch would be too advanced for younger children. The sites I found in all of my searches were relatively good but overwhelming. The sites I found the most appealing were those that were easy to read, had clearly labeled links, and exciting graphics.