Understanding Search Engines and Online Directories

Hours: 16 / Access Length: 5 Weeks / Delivery: Monthly, Mentor Supported
Retail Price: $285.00

Course Overview:

Ever felt overwhelmed when using the Internet? The Internet is a terrific resource with millions of websites dedicated to almost any topic. With so many websites, it is easy to get lost. Search engines gather web pages for their indexes automatically. Directories have human editors who look at page content and decide how and where, or even if, pages should be listed. Learn more about how to find the websites you are searching for in less time by learning more about these valuable sources of online information.

Course Outline:

• Getting familiar with your online classroom, how it works and how to get the most out of it. In this lesson you will learn about the steps required for completing each classroom activity, from getting familiar with each lesson's content and following informative links, through the final assignment.
• Learn the differences between and history of the Internet and the World Wide Web. What does the web address or URL (Universal Resource Locator) you enter mean? Domains — what do they mean and where do they come from?
• Learn how search engines work. What are spiders, robots and crawlers and what do they do? What are some basic search rules and common search mistakes? Great Google secrets, tools and services to help with your online searches including spelling help and syntax search tips.
• How do you find online subject directories and how do they work? What are some of the major, general and business directories available to the public? Take a look at some directory submission tips describing what site owners must go through before their sites are added to directories. Excellent alternatives for online researchers - non-commercial online directories provided by information professionals.
• MetaSearch Engines are a search alternative you may not have heard of before. Learn what they are and what types of MetaSearch Engines are out there. Discover how this new tool can help you find results across multiple search engines at the same time, saving time when you are in a hurry to get the most relevant results. What are some disadvantages of MetaSearch results?
• Discover what the invisible web is and what types of invisible web pages are out there. Learn why some web pages are invisible and how to find the invisible web. Visit some favorite non-commercial online directories compiled and organized by librarians and information professionals containing academically valuable resources and information you could not find access to in the online directories and search engines.

All necessary materials are included.

System Requirements:

• Cable and DSL internet connections are recommended for the best experience.

• CPU: 1 GHz or higher
• RAM: 2 GB or higher
• Resolution: 1280 x 720 or higher
• Speakers / Headphones
• Microphone (Webinar / Live Online sessions)

• Microsoft Windows 7 or 10 (Home, Pro)
• 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.

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

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