Web Searching 2: Advanced Tools & Tips

Format: Online

Fee: $75 for those in the California library community and Infopeople Partners, $150 for all others.

(An Infopeople Online Learning Course)
Tuesday, September 14, 2010 - Monday, October 11, 2010

Start Time: Pacific Time - Noon, Mountain Time - 1:00 PM, Central Time - 2:00 PM, Eastern Time - 3:00 PM

Do you use the web for reference or research? Do you know what's changed in the last year in Google and Yahoo? Did you know that all the search engines offer useful, largely secret advanced search commands? Do you know how and when to search for answers within social media sites or video and photo sites? Do you know what specialty search engines exist and how to search the invisible web--those thousands of sites that basic search engines never cover?

In this course you will learn these things and more:

• What's new in search engines and when to use the latest tools
• How and when to use web search engines' best advanced search techniques, including obscure limiter commands and other tools search engines rarely promote
• The value in research and reference of subject-specialized search engines, databases, and web pages, and how to find them
• How to create and find your own searchable custom search engines to full-text search within almost any set of websites on almost any subject
• When to explore the "invisible web" of databases and websites
• The likely future of web searching and tools for keeping up with the changes

This course will make you a more efficient and effective searcher, able to use the latest as well as the most useful advanced search techniques. Learners must have sufficient computer skill and reference or research experience to embark on this intermediate level study of major and specialized search engines, search skills, and other discovery tools.

Course Description: This four-week online course will provide you with the opportunity to become familiar with search engine innovations and features. You will complete assignments exploring how these tools can help you with current real customer needs. Through discussions you will share your own tips and tricks and discover those of your classmates as well. The instructor will provide resources and tips that can be applied immediately to your own searching challenges and needs. The learning process will include readings, assignments, quizzes, and discussion forums.

Preliminary Course Outline: Using your web browser and your Internet connection, you will log in to the Infopeople online learning site and complete the following learning modules:

• Week 1: Major Search Engines
  • Major search engines (Google & Yahoo & Bing & Ask)
  • How search engines work
  • Strengths and weaknesses of major search engines
  • Choosing the right search engine
• Week 2: Searching Skills on Steroids
  • Advanced commands
  • Developing complex search strategies
  • Creating a custom search engine
• Week 3: Specialized Engines and the Invisible Web
  • Finding and searching specialized search engines
  • Finding and searching the invisible web
• Week 4: Information in Other Places
  • Searching blogs, microblogs, and wikis
  • Searching social media sites
  • Searching multimedia sites
  • Keeping up on search engine developments

Time required: To complete this course, you can expect to spend 2 to 2½ hours per week. You can work on each module at your own pace, at any hour of the day or night. However, it is recommended that you complete each week's assignments within that week to stay in sync with other learners.

Who Should Take This Course: Library staff with basic search skills and intermediate web/computer skills who want to learn more about intermediate and advanced web searching resources, sites, and skills. A basic understanding of web search engines, internet browsing, and search strategies is required to be successful in this course.

Online Learning Details and System Requirements may be found at
http://www.infopeople.org/training/learning_details.html.

Course Start: This 4-week-long online learning course starts on Tuesday September 14, 2010.

After the official end date for the course, the instructor will be available for limited consultation and support for two more weeks, and the course material will stay up for an additional two weeks after that. These extra weeks give those who have fallen behind time to work independently to complete the course.

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