Using search engines
Finding reliable information
You can find almost anything on the Internet if you know how to look for it.
Search engines are a good place to start. Type keywords into the search box. The search engine will scan the Internet for websites that use the words you have typed in. You will get a list of websites to choose from. The underlined heading is a hyperlink that you click on to get to that site. The words underneath show you how your keywords are used on that site. You will also see the web address at the bottom. It will tell you who wrote the information. Use all this information to decide if the site is reliable.
Here are some search engines
- Google - is one of the world's most famous search engines
- Yahoo - is another very famous search engine
- Across Canada - this search engine looks through Canadian sites
Some sites have advertising on them. Some ads are in shaded boxes or down the right margin of the page. Some are identified as ads. These sites are paid for and don't always have the information you are looking for.
Your search could give you thousands of entries, which means you need to narrow your search. Here is an example of keywords that will get you exactly what you want: lyrics "bird on a wire". For more information on using search engines, click http://www.insidethecbc.com/?s=google+tips
Before you start looking for information, check out http://www.media awareness.ca/english/index.cfm and click on "For Parents" to get tips on how to manage the way your kids use all the media in your home. See Internet Safety.
