As the Internet grows bigger and bigger, it becomes harder and harder to find the information you need. Searching the Net is a skill that improves with practice and the right tools. Here are my recommendations for search engines built just for kids, and a few Internet searching games to sharpen your techniques.
Built by America Online, the only frustrating part of this kids-only search engine is that some of its featured hot sites are only available to AOL members. But the rest of us will still find plenty to like about this wonderful search tool. For example, a search on the word "robot", brings links to 116 different sites. Be sure to read Casey's NetFind Tips, a weekly column on how to improve your search results.
This research adventure and contest for grades four through eight, runs from September 22 until December 12, 1997. Play and learn the fundamentals of Internet research while applying your knowledge of American government. The Iz and Auggie story line is presented in comic strip format, with a research puzzle at the end of each episode. In order to solve the puzzle, access to the search directory Yahoo! is integrated into the game. If you get stuck, there are hints to help you. But using them will lower your score. Plan on each of the eight episodes taking about fifty minutes.
Want an introduction to searching techniques? Need to understand the difference between the Boolean operators "AND" and "OR"? Looking for a definition of "keyword?" Look no further. This kid's guide to searching the Net covers all the basics, introduces a few search engines and concludes with a virtual Internet scavenger hunt. Search out the answers to ten questions ("What is the currency in Zambia?") and submit your answers by email.
The first Internet directory just for kids is still the best. Created by the folks at Yahoo!, Yahooligans! is strictly speaking not a search engine, but a searchable, browsable Internet index. Each listing is handpicked by a human (not an automated computer program) and placed in their hierarchy under one of eight main categories (such as Around the World, Art Soup or School Bell). To search their site, just enter your keywords and hit the search button. Or try browsing the index by choosing a main topic. For example under Science and Oddities, you'll find thirty more topics from Airplanes to Weather. Choosing Robots will reward you with links to fifteen sites, each with a brief description.
The following links are either new discoveries or sites that didn't make it into my newspaper column because of space constraints. Enjoy!
Ask Jeeves for KidsKids Click! | Sherlock@ The Internet Consulting Detective |
Free Surfnetkids Newsletter ...Get educational website recommendations in your mailbox every week:Our Privacy Pledge: your email address is never shared with anyone. |
Headline Feed | Online Safety Feed | Newsletter Feed
