Count on Charlotte, the web wandering spider to help you through your Web Quest assignments.

Several investors have approached you with a proposal to create an Internet service provider to compete with America On-line (AOL). Two of the services they wish to include are: a new search engine and a means of evaluating web pages. They would like to have you help them design a search engine and an evaluation tool. They plan to call their new enterprise Web Wanderer.

We all have a favorite search engine. You will visit yours and visit the search engine's help pages. You will also visit some sites which discuss the various elements of a search engine. From these sources you will glean information to help you decide which elements you would include in Web Wanderer's search engine. You will create a chart or table listing all of the prominent elements of the new search engine your group is designing. Give the search engine a spiffy name. Also you will create a one page evaluation sheet to be used by subscribers to Web Wanderer. You will present your findings at a business meeting with the investors.

Step One: Organize and Analyze

1. You should begin by reading about search engines vs. directories. Also, check out the glossary and refer to it during your assignment.
2. When you have completed your investigation of search engines and directories proceed to the Organize and Analyze page for further directions.

Step Two: Synthesize and Realize

1. You will meet with your group and pool information.
2. You will prepare a display. Don't forget you will be presenting your ideas to the Board of Directors of Web Wanderer.
3. You may now procede to the Synthesize and Realize page for your directions.

Step Three: Criticise

1. The Board of Directors wants you to create an evaluation tool for the subcribers of Web Wanderer to use when they view web sites.
2. It will be simple so that people will be able to judge pages without referring to notes.
3. Procede to the Criticise page for specific guidelines.

Web Sites

• Finding Information on the Internet: A Tutorial
• Image Search Engines and Directories
• The Spider's Apprentice
• Windweaver's Search Links
• Alpha Search
• Search Engine Watch
• Learning More About Search Engines
• Search Engine Showdown

• Why Evaluate Web Information?
• Colorado State University Library
• Arizona State University Libraries
• Evaluating Web Resources--Library, Widener University
• Argus Clearing House Rating Systems
• Blue Web'n Evaluation Rubric

Print and Database Sources on Reserve

The resources listed below are on reserve in the library.

Abelock, Debbie. "Choose the Best Search for your Purpose. NUCUCT Library Help.

http://nuevaschool.org/~debbie/library/research/adviceengine.html. March 22, 2001.

Cooke, Alison. Authoritative Guide to Evaluating Information on the Internet.

New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc., 1999.

Diaz, Karen. "The Invisible Web." Reference & User Services Quarterly,

Winter 2000 v40 p131. Infotrac. Wareham High School Library, Wareham, Ma. March 21, 2001 (http://www.galegroup.com).

Friel, Daniel. "Superior Software: Metasearch Engines." Business Economics.

April 1998 v33 p70(2). Infotrac. Wareham High School Library, Wareham, Ma. March, 22, 2001. (http://www.galegroup.com).

Hock, Randolph. The Extreme Searcher's Guide toWeb Search Engines.

Medford, NJ: CyberAge Books, 1999.

Jones, Debra. Exploring the Internet Using Critical Thinking Skills. New York:

Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc., 1998.

Kotlas, Carolyn. "Observations of a Webliographer, " Information Outlook.

February 1997 v1 p38(1). Infotrac. Wareham High School, Wareham, Ma. March 22, 2001 (http://www.galegroup.com).

Pfaffenberger, Bryan. Web Search Strategies. New York: Mis:Press, 1996.

Regan, Tom. "The Little Search Engines That Can't." Christian Science Monitor.

August 10, 2000 n.p. Sirs Discover. Sirs. Wareham High School Library, Wareham, Ma. March 21, 2001. (http://www.sirs.com)

Schrock, Kathleen. Evaluating Internet Web Sites: An Educator's Guide.

Manhattan, KS: The Master Teacher Inc., 1997.

Stellin, Susan. "Can You Trust Your Search Engine?", CNET Coverage.

March 22, 2001 (http"//coverage.cnet.com/Contents/Features/Dlife/Search).

Symons, Ann K. "Sizing Up Sites: How to Judge What You Find on the Web."

School Library Journal. April, 1997.

Take a look at the rubric that will be used for evaluation of work.

Share information with others. E-mail to search engines to let them know how they could be better. Use your evaluation tool when you search the web.

• Share what you have learned with others.
• E-mail to search engines to let them know how they could be better.
• Use your evaluation tool when you search the web.
• If you feel artistic create a logo for your search engine. Include it in your powerpoint presentation.
• Write an article for the school newspapers about using search engines or evaluating web sites.
• Write a letter to the Board of Directors telling them how you think this web quest could be improved.

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