Searching the Internet

The Internet is a network of computers from all over the world.  The World Wide Web, or Web, is the part of the internet that has documents called web pages (you're reading one of these pages now). Each page is called a site. You can find information about almost any subject you can imagine. In fact, there is so much information on the internet that it can be difficult to find exactly what you are looking for. That's why there are search engines. Search engines are sites that help you find other sites on the internet. Sound confusing? Don't worry, search engines are not too difficult to use. 

Like all Web sites, a search engine has an internet address. For example, the internet address of CAMBA's ESL site is http://www.esolcamba.org. One popular search engine is called Google. The address of this site is http://www.google.com. There are no spaces in an internet address.

Search engines use keywords to find information.  For example, if you want to find information about ESL programs for adults in New York, you might use the keywords adult, ESL programs, New York. Keywords are just words closely related to the subject that you want to know about. You can use one keyword or as many as you want. 

If you use only one keyword, you will probably get too much information. For example, if you use only ESL Programs for your keywords, the search engine will look for every site that contains the word ESL Programs. That means you will probably get information on ESL Programs all over the world when you only want those in New York. When you use ESL Programs and New York, the search engine will look for sites that contain both ESL Programs and New York. If you only want ESL programs in New York for adults, then using the keywords ESL Programs, New York, adults would give you even more specific results.  Remember, the more keywords you use, the more specific your results will be. That means there will be fewer results.  

After you enter your keywords and click search, you will get a list of sites related to your keywords. We call this list of sites results or hits. Each result is a link to a Web site that is related to your keywords or contains your keywords.  A link is simply text that you can click on and go directly to the site without worrying about the site's internet address.  A link is usually underlined, like this:  Visit Camba's ESL Web-site If you click on the colored text, you will be taken to CAMBA's homepage.  

Search Tips

The best way to learn about searching the internet is to search the internet! 

Pop Quiz-Searching the Internet