ALEX Learning Activity

How Internet Searches Work

A Learning Activity is a strategy a teacher chooses to actively engage students in learning a concept or skill using a digital tool/resource.

  This learning activity provided by:  
Author: April Chamberlain
System:Trussville City
School:Trussville City Board Of Education
  General Activity Information  
Activity ID: 1987
Title:
How Internet Searches Work
Digital Tool/Resource:
The Internet: How Search Works YouTube Video
Web Address – URL:
Overview:

Students will be introduced to how an Internet search works by experts in the field and practice conducting basic keyword searches.

This activity was created as a result of the DLCS COS Resource Development Summit.

  Associated Standards and Objectives  
Content Standard(s):
Digital Literacy and Computer Science
DLIT (2018)
Grade: 3
R5) Locate and curate information from digital sources to answer research questions.

Digital Literacy and Computer Science
DLIT (2018)
Grade: 3
16) Conduct basic keyword searches to produce valid, appropriate results, and evaluate results for accuracy, relevance, and appropriateness.

Examples: Use search techniques, check for credibility and validity.
English Language Arts
ELA2021 (2021)
Grade: 3
23. Identify and use text features in informational passages to locate information.

Examples: headings, photographs, illustrations, labels, charts, graphs, legends

a. Explain how text features support details in the text.

b. Explain how illustrations contribute to meaning in a story.

c. Interpret text features used in written and digital formats.
Learning Objectives:

Students will conduct basic keyword searches to locate and curate information from digital sources to answer a research question and evaluate results for accuracy, relevance, and appropriateness.

 
  Strategies, Preparations and Variations  
Phase:
Before/Engage
Activity:

Students will:

  1. View and discuss Code.org’s video The Internet: How Search Works to understand how an Internet browser uses an algorithm to return search results to a user.

  2. Create a list of basic keywords they can use to search for information related to a topic of interest or a topic currently being studied with a partner or small group.  Ex. The class chooses the topic of the American Revolution. Students will generate a list of keywords to answer questions they have about the American Revolution.

  3. Students will use the list they created to conduct a basic keyword search. Students will analyze the top ten returned resources to identify if the information is relevant and appropriate for the keywords used. If not, students will make a note on the keyword list then edit the keywords to narrow the focus of the request and search again.

 
Assessment Strategies:

Student keyword lists and notes will be used to determine their understanding of the standards.

 
Advanced Preparation:

Pre-watch Code.org’s video The Internet: How Search Works.
Variation Tips (optional):

Additional opportunities to conduct keyword searches for content that is interesting to individuals (Genius Hour).

Create the job responsibility of Researcher to add to weekly classroom roles. The researcher would have a device with them during the day so when someone says “I wonder” in class, they would conduct basic keyboard searches for the class. This job would rotate to a different student each week.

 
Notes or Recommendations (optional):
 
  Keywords and Search Tags  
Keywords and Search Tags: