Searching for Information Online

Lesson objectives

By the end of the week, learners should be able to:

1. Enter precise search keywords into a browser.
2. Open at least three relevant results and save the titles and URLs.
3. Apply four reliability checks to each result.
4. Select the best source and write a one-sentence justification.
5. Name why broad searches return poor results.

Key vocabulary

• Keyword: a focused term that narrows search results.
• Relevant result: a page matching the search intent.
• Reliability check: a method for judging whether a source is trustworthy.
• Author: the person or organisation publishing the information.
• Organisation: the entity behind a domain or website.
• Date: the date the page was last updated.
• Evidence: supporting facts backing the claim.
• Broad search: an imprecise set of terms returning many unhelpful matches.

Common misconceptions

• "More results means better answers." Broad searches return many unrelated or low-quality pages.
• "Any website counts as reliable if it answers the question." Authority and dates matter more than answer quality.
• "Search engines do the searching for you." Search engines rank but cannot guarantee quality.

Teacher activities

1. Starter: enter one broad keyword and ask which result is most relevant; then try a refined keyword and compare.
2. Model entering a refined keyword and opening three relevant results.
3. Apply four reliability checks one by one and note the outcome for each.
4. Compare a broad result set with a refined set on relevance and quality.
5. Give learners a search scenario and ask them to pick the best source.
6. Close with the exit question about why broad searches fail.

Student activities

1. Try one broad keyword and one refined keyword and compare the relevant hits.
2. Enter refined keywords and open at least three relevant results.
3. Apply four reliability checks to each result and record the outcome.
4. Select the best source and write a one-sentence justification.
5. Explain why broad searches return poor results in one sentence.
6. Answer the exit question comparing broad versus refined search.

Practical / learning evidence

An evaluated sources record sheet with title, URL, author, organisation, date and reliability for three sources, plus a one-sentence best-source justification. Submit both for marking.

Resources and preparation

Computers with a browser, sample keywords and blank record sheets. Offline route: paper record sheets, no device needed. Warn learners not to enter personal search history visibly and ensure browsers do not cache sensitive results.

Assessment for learning

Inspect the record sheet for three distinct results and completed reliability checks. Mark the best-source justification for a clear reason referencing author, date or evidence. Flag any learner who accepts any result without checking.

Inclusion and homework

Provide a partially completed record sheet for learners who need scaffolding and allow oral completion. Extend confident learners with five checks and a second search scenario. Homework: refine one broad search into three refined searches and compare the result sets.