COMPUTER/ PROGRAMMING 611/841

Mr. Penza

Search Engine Project

Class Plan: This plan is directed at High School students (9-12). It can be used in a Basic Computer Use class as an enhancement to a UNIT on Microsoft Word or used as a supplement for a Music appreciation class. The classroom environment is one that affords each student computer access to the internet.

The following Mass Curriculum Framework items for Technology are clearly satisfied:

1.53 How to select and use Search Engines. Understand the difference between search engines.

1.54 Explain effective search strategies to locate and retrieve electronic information.

Objective: Teach students how to conduct better searches on the internet by using a variety of Search Engines through a combination of brief lecture, competitive exercise and final worksheet application.

Process:

I. Introduce Search Engines and Establish a Working List:

a. Ask the class for their favorite search engines. List 5 or 6 on the board. Engage them by asking what types of things they have searched for recently. Why one over another? They are probably quite adepth in their use of search engines.

b. Talk about the differences of AND, OR, NOT as logical operators.

i. Difference between PEANUT AND BUTTER, PEANUT OR BUTTER, PEANUT NOT BUTTER

ii. BATMAN AND ROBIN, BATMAN OR ROBIN.ETC..

II. Now focus to 3 search engines: GOOGLE, ALTAVISTA, TEOMA

a. Ask the class to search Beethoven AND Bach AND Brahms, cut and paste across each engine. Vary this by using NOT , OR. Discuss differences. Can you still get the same search with other symbols?

b. Talk about use of +, - and how it relates.

III. Now give out Worksheet. Have the students work separately or in small groups. Whoever finishes first gets 5 points on the next quiz or test.

Section I. Cut and paste syntax between each search engine. Find the number of hits for each engine. Comment about the syntax for each engine. Did it work properly? Were there any informative messages during your search?

	GOOGLE	ALTAVISTA	TEOMA	COMMENT
Bach AND Beethoven AND Brahms
Bach AND Beethoven NOT brahms
Bach OR Beethoven OR Brahms
+Bach +Beethoven -Brahms
+violin +strings +bow
+violin –strings –bow
Violin AND string AND bow
Violin OR strings OR bow
Violin AND strings NOT bow

Section II.

Questions: 1. Which Site(s) appeared to be more consumer based?

2. Which Site(s) was best for using AND ,OR, NOT?

3. Which Site(s) made the best use of +,- ?

4. Which Site(s) were more historically bent?

5. Which Site did you prefer, if any?

6. Who was born first? Brahms, Beethoven or Bach?

7. What instrument was Bach most famous for playing?

8. What is the best price on a Violin?

9. How is a Violin Tuned? (what notes?)

10. Was Beethoven really deaf?

11. Brahms was most famous for what type of music?

12. Who wrote “da, da, da, daaa!”?

13. Who wrote the “Well tempered clavier”?

14. Who was very friendly with pianist, Clara Schumann?

15. Who died last, Bach, Beethoven or Bach?

III. Conclusion.

Students evaluate the use of Booleon operators in each search engine. Along the way, they are prompted to do some musical research. The final assessment comes in the form of the written output (worksheet). Student will now have additional skills for internet searching and may have developed a new affinity for a particular engine or Composer.