Internet+Research+6

=**Lesson Plan 6 : Metasearch Engines**=


 * Aim:**

What is a metasearch engine?


 * Common Core State Standards:**


 * CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.7** Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.


 * CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.8** Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced searches effectively; assess the strengths and limitations of each source in terms of the task, purpose, and audience; integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and overreliance on any one source and following a standard format for citation.


 * Objectives:**


 * Students will learn what a metasearch engine is and the pros and cons of using them versus a search engine.


 * Vocabulary:**


 * Metasearch engine


 * Class Activity:**

1) You will use four different metasearch engines for this assignment: metacrawler, Dogpile, Mamma, and Ixquick to find Web pages that contain information about organic gardening. As you use each metasearch engine, pay careful attention to each metasearch engine's features and the search engine indexes it uses to create the search results list. To make it easy on yourself, open several tabs at once to make it easy to switch back and forth between metasearch engines. To do this, hold down the command key and hit t (Mac) or hold down the control key and hit t (PC).

2) Note the similarities and differences of the search results you get. For example, where does the site organicgardening.com appear in the search results of each? First, second, third? Why do you think that different metasearch engines place search results in different orders? Also note the similarities and differences in the ads on each results page. Which metasearch engines mix their ads in with their search results? How can you tell if the search results are sponsored ads or not? How do you know which search engine the metasearch engine's results come from?

3) Now perform a search in each metasearch engine on a topic of your choice. What is your topic? Answer the above questions about the search results you get for your topic.

4) Record all of your answers by creating a new page on your wiki and labeling it "Internet Research 6" along with today's date.