You can locate useful or interesting web sites by using a search engine. Not all GWC online courses require you to search for sites outside of the course software. Your individual course syllabus will explain if this will be required in your course.

Search engines are organizations with web sites containing huge databases of web site addresses. You key in a subject or a name that describes what you are looking for, and the search engine provides you with a list of web site addresses that fit your search. You then simply click on an address to jump to that web site.

General Tips for Successful Searches

1. Choose a search engine that is known to deal with the kind of results you are seeking.
2. Determine your goals. Do you want just broad information or are you looking for more specific data.
3. Determine whether the information is likely to be in the title or first paragraph, or buried within the document or site.
4. Use a search engine's advanced features, and read the Help files if you are unclear about its searching procedure.

Choosing Search Terms

1. Enter synonyms, alternate spellings and alternate forms (e.g. friends, friendship, friendly).
2. Enter all the singular or unique terms.
3. Avoid using very common terms.
4. Determine how your search engine uses capitals and plurals.
5. Use a phrase or proper name, if possible.
6. Use multiple operators (e.g. AND, NOT) if the search engine allows it.
7. If you receive too many results, improve your search after you review the preliminary results. You may discover how to effectively use NOT. For example, baseball AND California AND NOT Dodgers.

Choosing a Search Engine