Digital Literacy-Locate Information

Objectives
Student will be able to:
  • identify strategies to locate information using digital technology.
  • demonstrate an understanding of how to locate information using digital technology.

Introduction
The skills you need to succeed in school today have a lot to do with technology. You live and learn in a digital world. The term digital literacy describes the ability to locate, evaluate, create, and share information using a range of digital technology. Digital literacy requires a knowledge of current technology, its features, and how it works.

 
Locating information online is an important digital literacy skill. You will use it throughout your life. It is a 21st century skill! Whether you are doing research for school or searching for information about your favorite sports team, you must understand how to locate information online. Let's take a closer look at how we use digital technology to locate information.
Imagine that you need to write a report about manatees. What is your first step? You will read some information in your textbook. You will take a book or two out of the library. But you will probably also do some research using digital technology.
You can conduct an Internet search on a computer, a tablet, or a hand-held device.
  • An Internet browser allows you to access the Internet from your device.
  • A search engine is a Web site on which you can do a search. Search engines have a search box in the toolbar and on their home page. You type the keywords of your search into that search box.
There is a lot of information on the Internet. It is nearly impossible to type a term into the search box and bring up nothing. For most searches you conduct, you will see hundreds or thousands of links. When conducting searches on the Internet, follow these steps:
  1. Be specific. If your search term is too broad, you will see many Web sites that don't have information you need. For example, don't simply type "manatees" in the search box. You need to be more specific.  
  2. Figure out the keywords in your search. Maybe you want to know where manatees live. Your search term could be "manatee habitat." Or maybe you want to know what manatees eat. Your search term could be "manatee diet."
  3. Plan for several searches. What if you want to know both of the above? Do two (or more) searches. For each new search you start, open a new tab. This will help you keep track of multiple searches.
These strategies will also help focus your searches:
  • Don't ask questions in keyword searches. Instead, be direct about what you are looking for. Don't type in "What do manatees eat?" Type "manatee diet."
  • It is okay to include small words such as and, of, and the in your searches. It will help you stay focused to include them, since it is part of your natural thought process. Plus, Internet search engines have the ability to ignore those words.
  • Bookmark the links that seem useful. This way, you can go back to the sites that seemed most useful. As you conduct your searches, you may start to recognize certain sites.
  • If a Web site is coming up more than once for your different keyword searches, it likely has some good information about your more general topic. Make sure to include that in your bookmarks. You can go back to it later and evaluate the site to make sure it has reliable information.
Remember that all information on the Internet is not created equal. Once you have completed a search, you will need to evaluate the sources you found. Only use trustworthy sources in your research. Remember that anyone can create a Web site, such as a blog. A marine biologist, for example, might have a blog about her specific research on manatees. Her blog alone does not make the information on the Web site trustworthy.

Examples
Answer the following questions about Internet searches.
1.
You have been assigned a research project about an author writing in the 20th century. What is the first step you need to take before sitting down to do an Internet search?
 

Did you say that your first step is to figure out which author to research? You're right! If you type "20th century author" into a search box, you will come up with hundreds of sites about 20th century writers. But you will have to wade through all of them to find an author's name that you recognize. What about finding one you like enough to study?

Instead, start by thinking about who you have already read and enjoyed. Once you decide on an author, your search will be much easier!

2.
After thinking about it for a while, you decide to do your research project on Mark Twain. You really enjoyed his books, and you think he probably lived an interesting life. Your teacher wants you to start your paper with a brief biography or timeline of the author's life. What search terms will you put into an Internet search box?
 

Did you say that you would type in biography of Mark Twain? If so, that's exactly right! That search will bring up a lot of sites that list the important dates and events of Mark Twain's life. Good job!


3.
The second part of your paper is meant to include a list of the author's publications. Which of the following would be the best keyword term for your next search about Mark Twain?
a. Twain books
b. books by Mark Twain
c. Mark Twain's life work
d. What did Mark Twain write?
 

Did you choose b. books by Mark Twain? That's exactly right. Twain books is not specific enough, and could bring up books with the word Twain in the title, or by authors of a similar surname. Mark Twain's life work is also not specific enough, because it doesn't refer to his writing life. And asking a question in a search box often calls up unrelated links.


Try Together
Answer these questions about strategies for locating information using digital technology.
1.
If you come across the same site on more than one search, you should  the page, so you can come back to it later.
 
bookmark
 

2.
Internet searches should be as   as possible, so that the results are narrow and focused.

 
specific
 

3.
The first thing to do before typing into an Internet search box is to decide on your  .
 
keyword search term
 

4.
In the space below, explain why a search term should be focused and specific.
 

Student responses may vary. Acceptable answers include:

  • If a search term is not narrow and focused, the search will result in too many links, and I won't be able to find what I need.
  • A narrow and focused keyword search should bring up only sites on which I might find useful information.
 

5.
Once you have completed a search, and you have bookmarked the sites that look most useful to you, what is your next step?
 

Student responses may vary. Acceptable answers include:

  • My next step will be to evaluate each site to make sure it has reliable information and is a solid source for my research.
  • After conducting a search, I will need to ensure that the sites I see are reliable and will provide me with accurate information.
 

Please evaluate the student's answers:

Excellent

Good

Okay