using the internet safely and effectively

Using The Internet Safely and Effectively:

Tips for Students, Teachers and Parents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

What is the Internet?

Internet Search Engines

Basic Tips for Searching

Internet Safety Tips

Internet Sites for Teens

Internet Etiquette for the New Millennium

This Guide was prepared by

Linear Linux

(Jayant ityalam)

July 1999

What is the Internet?

The Internet is a tool that offers a world wide network of information which can be assessed through the computer. The amount of information available on the world wide web is tremendous. The information available on the Internet is constantly changing because new information is being added every day!

The web is basically a common information space where people can communicate by sharing information.

No one authority controls the World Wide Web. Anyone who has access to a computer and the Internet can post a web site. The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) oversees the development of web technology.


General Search Engines

Meta Search Engines

Once you are connected to the Internet, you will need a way to find the web sites and newsgroups of interest to you. Many people “surf” the Internet, going from site to site looking at information. However, if you need to find specific information as quickly as possible, you need to use a search engine. A search engine is a service that indexes and organizes Web sites. Search engines help you sift through the tons of information available to locate the information you are seeking faster and more efficiently.


The search engine scans the Web for information. The information is added to a database. The database is indexed by the subject content of the Web page, and may be searched by key word. The major search engines are AltaVista, Infoseek, Lycos, and Excite. For more specific information on a particular search engine, visit, Ask Jeeves, http://www.ajkids.com.

Different search engines work in different ways.No one search engine keep tracks of all of the information on the Internet. Therefore, you should use several search engines to determine which one produces the most useful results for your information needs.

A meta search engine uses more than one database. A meta search engine does not develop its own database. Instead, it uses several other search engines to conduct your search simultaneously. It then organizes the results and displays the results from a combination of sources. Meta search engines include Metacrawler and Dogpile.


Be specific. The more specific your search word, the

more on target your results will be.

Get more results by being general.

If your search word is too specific, you may get fewer or no results from your search.

Basic Tips For Searching

Basic Tips for Searching

Define your search terms using Boolean operators [And, Or,

And Not]

The major search engines allow you to search for the exact phrase, all the words in a phrase but not necessarily together, or any words in a phrase. A few search engines do not give the searcher these options. In this case, the searcher can use Boolean operators to expand or narrow a search.


Using Boolean Operators

AND

Use AND to search for two (or more) terms on the same page.

Example: sea AND Kayak

OR

Use OR to search for either of two (or more) terms on the same page.

Example: kayak OR canoe


Using Boolean Operators

AND NOT

Use AND NOT to search for pages that include the first term and not the second.

Example: kayak AND NOT whitewater

Remember: For a more effective and complete search, use more than one search engine. Happy Searching!

Evaluating Internet Resources:The Good, The Bad, and the Garbage!

The Internet can be a valuable tool for school assignments. However, everything you read on the Internet may not be true. In doing any research, it is important that you evaluate your source to make certain that the information presented is accurate and relevant. This also applies when using the Internet for information and research.

The following guide from the DC Public Library website [http://www.dclibrary.org] will help you evaluate the resources and information you find on the Internet.

Evaluating Internet Resources –

Accuracy

Where does the information come from? Is there a bibliography or listing of references? Can this information be verified elsewhere? Has the information been presented in an impartial, unbiased way? Has the information been reviewed or referred?

Authority

Who is the author? What are his/her credentials provided? Is there contact information, such as an e-mail address? Is the author a recognized authority on the subject? Has the author published work in any other format? Is the website or author a part of an organization and does the organization support and/or sponsor its creation?

Currency

When was the information gathered? When was it posted? When and how often is the page revised?

Evaluating Internet Resources –

Purpose

What is the purpose of the web page? Is it intended to inform or teach, sell persuade, or entertain? Is the purpose clearly stated on the page?

Uniqueness

Can this information be located elsewhere in print or electronic media? Could better information be found in a printed source?

Ease of Use

How easy is the website to use? Is the information well organized and easy to access?

Citing Your Sources

Always cite your sources.

Why is it important to cite your sources?

It is important that you give credit to the person or organization who wrote the information or created the document. Using someone else’s words or ideas and representing them as your own is called plagarism. Some material may be copyrighted, meaning that the person who wrote or created the document has the exclusive legal right to reproduce, publish, or sell the material.

So come on! Give credit to the hard work of others.

What Every User Needs to Know

Never release any personal information – home address, school name, or

telephone number – to anyone on the Internet.

Never arrange to meet in person with someone.

Never respond to any messages that are harassing, threatening, or sexually

explicit.

Tell your parents if you receive e-mail or chat/bulletin board messages

that are harassing, demeaning or sexually explicit.

Internet Sites for

Ask Jeeves for Kids – http://www/ajkids.com

Teen Hoopla – http://www.ala.org.teenhoopla/

Internet Public Library, Teen Division – http://www.ipl.org/teen/

Cyberteens Home Page – http://www/mtlake.com/Cyberteens/

Internet Etiquette for the New Millennium

For an enjoyable and rewarding online experience, when using chat rooms or sending e-mail,

Avoid using inappropriate or offensive language

Be cautious when using sarcasm or humor.

Be concise. Keep your messages short.

Avoid using ALL CAPS. It’s considered shouting online.

Delete unknown e-mail attachments. They may contain viruses.

Never give out any personal information.

Tips for Parents

Keeping Your Child Safe On The Internet

Monitor the use of the Internet by your child.

Get to know the Internet and any services your

child uses.

Set reasonable rules and guidelines for computer

use by your child.

Make searching the Internet a family activity.

Resources for Parents

Below is a list of resources regarding the Internet for parents.

The Parents Guide to the Information Superhighway: Rules & Tools for Families Online.

http://www.SafeTeens.com

http://www.FamiliesConnect.com

A Final Word:

Reading is still the most basic survival skill in today’s information society.

However, one must also be technologically literate to function in

today’s world. The Internet is a tremendous resource in the the research process. While the Internet is a powerful information tool, it can and should be used along with other print and other

electronic resources.

http:www/safekids.com

http://www.dclibrary.org

http://wwweveryicon.com

Resources Used :

using the internet safely and effectively

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