Using the Internet as a Research Tool and the Value of Spreadsheets in the Classroom

The article, “Teaching Students to Use the Internet as a Research Tool” by Elizabeth Caulfield and Sarah C Symans was a good reminder of how to use the internet wisely for research and how to teach using it to students. The first main point the authors made was to validate your source. They suggested that the reader use the “fee or free” method—if the source is free, it may be questionable, but if it is in a subscription database then it is likely there for a reason—it is valuable. I’ve found that the library has some excellent subscription databases. As a Literature and Writing major, I use the database JSTOR all the time. It features literary analysis, book reviews, and critical essays. The information isn’t always the most current, but it is always a good place to start.
Another good tip in the article is to check the URL of the source. If the URL is referenced in another trustworthy article, then it is likely safe to use. Checking the bibliography of an author’s work is a great (and easy) way to get a list of more reliable sites with related information.
The authors also mentioned that some search engines are better than others. I personally prefer Google. I like it even better now that I know how to navigate the advanced search feature. This would be an excellent searching strategy to teach students.
Library directories are also good places to check for websites. I know the Cal State San Marcos library page has a directory where you can search for databases by subject and then narrow down what kind of database you want. The Literature and Writing listing offers several databases (but I still think JSTOR is the best).
As for citing info, the authors failed to mention that there are several great (and free!) sites where students can easily input data and have it spit out in the proper documented form (MLA, APA, etc). Two good ones are KnightCite and NoodleTools.
Another item the authors mentioned was verifying information found on the web. One way I found to be very helpful is to use Snopes.com. There is usually a listing for about every online heading you can think of. Snopes is a good way to check out those “unbelievable” stories to see if they are really true or not. Also, a good rule of thumb is that if the site ends in .com, it’s not as good of a source as .edu or .gov.
Spreadsheets are another ball game. I don’t think they will be as useful to me as say, using PowerPoint, but for my assignment I devised a spreadsheet that had columns of frequently misspelled words with students’ names and how many words they got right or wrong. I could use the same chart revised later to see how students progressed when they were tested a second time and chart how they improved in their spelling. There may be other uses I figure out later. For now, I’m pleased that I discovered that spreadsheets can be used for more than just accounting.