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Searching on the Internet

Jaime Busquets Mataix, Ignacio Despujol, and Ana María Checa Rubio

In a virtual world where there are hundreds of millions of pages available with information of all kinds, searching the Internet effectively is an increasingly necessary skill. Learn with us how to separate the wheat from the chaff by using the available tools and asking the right questions.

In the course you will learn how to plan a search from the beginning and how to use the various tools that the Internet puts at your fingertips to find what you need. We will look at tools to search for videos, images, royalty-free content and institutional information, among many other things.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

You will learn how to plan a search from the beginning
We will show you how to use the various tools that the internet puts at your disposal to find what you need

We will look at tools to search for videos, images, royalty-free content, institutional information, and much more

You will learn how to plan a search from the beginning
We will show you how to use the various tools that the internet puts at your disposal to find what you need
We will look at tools to search for videos, images, royalty-free content, institutional information, and much more

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores internet search techniques, which is standard in librarian and information science

Taught by instructors who are experts in their fields

Taught by instructors at an accredited university in Spain

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Reviews summary

Practical strategies for web searching

According to learners, "Searching on the Internet" is a largely positive course, providing essential strategies for effective online information retrieval. Many students found the course surprisingly useful and immediately applicable, particularly for its coverage of advanced search operators, evaluating sources, and finding specific content like royalty-free images and videos. While it's considered a must-take for beginners and those seeking to improve efficiency, some more experienced users found parts of the course too basic and felt some interface examples were outdated. Despite minor criticisms, the course generally receives praise for its clear explanations and ability to transform casual searching into a more strategic and efficient process.

Pacing can be slow, and more practical exercises are desired.

"I wish there were more practical exercises instead of just explanations."

"Informative but a bit slow-paced at times... the overall structure could be more engaging."

"The pace was a bit uneven for me."

Provides a solid foundation for new or intermediate learners.

"Absolutely essential for digital literacy! This is a must-take for students and professionals alike."

"Fantastic course for anyone feeling overwhelmed by online information."

"It provided a good general overview of internet searching."

"Could be great for absolute beginners."

Covers valuable operators and specific content search methods.

"The section on advanced operators and finding royalty-free content was a real eye-opener."

"I learned so much about effective search strategies, beyond just typing keywords into Google. The content on evaluating sources and advanced queries was invaluable."

"The segment on finding institutional information was particularly useful for my work."

"The strategies for narrowing down results and finding obscure information are brilliant."

Equips learners with immediately applicable search strategies.

"I can now find what I need much faster and more accurately."

"The tips on planning a search really helped me structure my research better."

"The practical tips are immediately applicable."

"I learned how to use practical tools and strategies that I could apply immediately to my work."

A few examples or interfaces appear slightly behind current trends.

"Some parts felt a little outdated in terms of interface examples, but the core principles are still very relevant."

"It feels like it hasn't been updated in a while."

"I found some parts a bit too basic, especially the initial modules on general search."

Experienced users may find much of the content familiar.

"Too basic for me. Most of the information presented here could be found with a quick search online."

"Honestly, this felt like a waste of time. I expected to learn advanced techniques for deep web searching..."

"Total disappointment. This course is for someone who barely knows how to use a computer. The content is extremely basic and superficial."

"I signed up hoping to gain a competitive edge in online research... most of it was common sense."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Searching on the Internet with these activities:

Review search query operators

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Start the course with a stronger foundation by practicing search techniques in advance to get better search results.

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List out common search operators
Research detailed documentation of specific search operators

Follow tutorials on using advanced search features

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Following tutorials will help you brush up on fundamental skills and learn new techniques to improve your search efficiency.

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Search for tutorials on advanced search features
Watch and follow along with tutorials

Follow tutorials on browser extensions for better web searching

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By exploring browser extensions, you can improve your search experience and efficiency, allowing you to find the needed results faster.

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Search for browser extensions for web searching
Pick a few extensions and try them out

Four other activities

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Practice using Google Scholar to search academic resources

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Learn about different features of Google Scholar and how to optimize your searches to find credible and relevant academic sources.

Browse courses on Google Scholar

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Search for tutorials on using Google Scholar
Watch tutorials and practice searching for academic resources

Join a study group to discuss search strategies

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Collaborating in a study group will allow you to share and learn from different perspectives and search techniques, leading to better search results.

Browse courses on Search Strategies

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Join an existing study group focusing on search strategies
Attend study group sessions and actively participate in discussions

Follow tutorials on evaluating the credibility of online sources

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Understanding source credibility is crucial for avoiding misinformation and bias. This activity will equip you with techniques to critically evaluate online sources.

Browse courses on Critical Thinking

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Search for tutorials on evaluating the credibility of online sources
Watch tutorials and practice applying these techniques to assess different sources

Create an infographic or visual guide on your most effective search strategies

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This activity encourages you to synthesize what you have learned and share your knowledge in a creative way, reinforcing your understanding of effective search strategies.

Browse courses on Search Strategies

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Brainstorm key search strategies
Choose a visual format for your infographic or guide
Design and create your visual resource

Career center

Learners who complete Searching on the Internet will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected 50 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Searching on the Internet.

Computer Vision: A Modern Approach

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Provides a comprehensive overview of computer vision, including image processing, feature extraction, and recognition, which are relevant to image search.

Computer Vision: A Modern Approach

Kindle Edition

$$$

Computer Vision: A Modern Approach

Hardcover

$$$$

Fundamentals of Financial Management

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Written by a former Google Search executive, this book provides an insider's perspective on the history and future of Google Search. It discusses the technological advancements and challenges shaping the evolution of search engines.

Searching on the Internet

What's inside

Learning objectives

Traffic lights

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Reviews summary

Practical strategies for web searching

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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