Online Research Using Search Engines and Directories

Hours: 16 / Access Length: 5 Weeks / Delivery: Monthly, Mentor Supported

Retail Price: $275.00

Course Overview:

Have a favorite search engine or online directory that you use 99% of the time? Most of us do. In this class you will learn about directories like DMOZ, the popular search engines such as Google, metasearch, specialty search engines and online directories, making it easier to find much more useful information in less time. Understanding the search tools available and mastering some general and advanced search tips can help make your online research efforts much easier.

Course Outline:

• Getting familiar with your online classroom, how it works and how to get the most out of it.
• Before we get started with the research process, we need to get a better understanding of the pages we will be reviewing.
• Using Search Engines in your online research can make a huge difference.
• Gaining a better understanding of the Search Engines, how they gather information and distribute it.
• Understanding how to use Online Subject Directories and knowing where to find them will help in your search for information and resources.
• MetaSearch Engines are a search alternative you may not have heard of before, yet they can become a great resource in your Online Research once you have learned how they work.
• Discover what the invisible web is and what types of invisible web pages are out there.

All necessary materials are included.

System Requirements:

Internet Connectivity Requirements:

• Cable, Fiber, DSL, or LEO Satellite (i.e. Starlink) internet with speeds of at least 10mb/sec download and 5mb/sec upload are recommended for the best experience.

NOTE: While cellular hotspots may allow access to our courses, users may experience connectivity issues by trying to access our learning management system.  This is due to the potential high download and upload latency of cellular connections.   Therefore, it is not recommended that students use a cellular hotspot as their primary way of accessing their courses.

Hardware Requirements:

• CPU: 1 GHz or higher
• RAM: 4 GB or higher
• Resolution: 1280 x 720 or higher.  1920x1080 resolution is recommended for the best experience.
• Speakers / Headphones
• Microphone for Webinar or Live Online sessions.

Operating System Requirements:

• Windows 7 or higher.
• Mac OSX 10 or higher.
• Latest Chrome OS
• Latest Linux Distributions
  

NOTE: While we understand that our courses can be viewed on Android and iPhone devices, we do not recommend the use of these devices for our courses. The size of these devices do not provide a good learning environment for students taking online or live online based courses.

Web Browser Requirements:

• Latest Google Chrome is recommended for the best experience.
• Latest Mozilla FireFox
• Latest Microsoft Edge
• Latest Apple Safari

Basic Software Requirements (These are recommendations of software to use):

• Office suite software (Microsoft Office, OpenOffice, or LibreOffice)
• PDF reader program (Adobe Reader, FoxIt)
• Courses may require other software that is described in the above course outline.