Studying Using the Web: The Student's Guide to Using the Ultimate Information Resource

by Clegg; Brian

• ISBN13: 9780415403726
• ISBN10: 0415403723
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-11-27
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Everyone uses the internet in their school work - but if you aren't careful you can end up plodding around the information fast track. It's time to change up to something more powerful. Knowing how to get the best out of the web doesn't just make it easier and quicker to find the right information. It can also transform your school or college work into something original and outstanding. Anyone can type a few keywords into a search engine. But that's only the beginning. With "Studying Using the Web" you can find the right material, check its authenticity, transform it into your own original work and keep up-to-date on essential topics. There are plenty of guide books that will point your way to interesting websites. They're great, but they get out of date very quickly, and they won't help you make something of what you find." Studying Using the Web" is different. It's about how to find the right information, and how to make the most of it. "Studying Using the Web" shows you howto: - Know what to look for - Make the best use of search facilities - Gather pictures, sounds and more - Make use of the human side of the internet - Learn how to test information with a trust CSI kit - Collect and structure your information effectively - Make text your own - And keep up to date! You could stay jogging round the information track. But think how much better you could do with the right technology and skills to harness a leading edge study machine. Move into the study fast track now!

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	xi
1 Venturing out	1	(8)
Where did it come from?	2	(3)
What the web is...and isn't	5	(3)
Engage hyperdrive	8	(1)
To get moving, take a step back	8	(1)
2 What to look for	9	(9)
Spot the computer	10	(2)
The big project	12	(1)
The mystery	13	(1)
The essay	14	(1)
The quick summary	14	(1)
The visual guide	15	(1)
Simple rules for generating your search queries	16	(1)
What to look for — essentials	17	(1)
3 Smart searching	18	(35)
Guessing your way	18	(4)
Hitting the engines	22	(2)
Double blips	24	(1)
Checking your options	25	(1)
Special characters and going Boolean	26	(2)
Going to the next level	28	(1)
A game of two halves	29	(4)
Checking the results	33	(8)
Keeping track of results	41	(1)
Specific searches — finding book contents	42	(5)
Specific searches — finding actual books	47	(2)
Specifics — the rest	49	(3)
Smart searching — essentials	52	(1)
4 Amassing media	53	(12)
Picture this	53	(5)
Get the picture	58	(1)
Making music	59	(2)
Music without sound	61	(1)
Moving pictures	62	(1)
Mapping the world	63	(1)
Amassing media — essentials	64	(1)
5 Real people	65	(14)
Health warning	65	(1)
Selling yourself	66	(2)
Academics	68	(2)
Companies	70	(1)
Newsgroups and forums	71	(2)
Celebrities	73	(1)
It's who you know	74	(1)
Getting the question right	75	(1)
Hybrid search — the hunt for Caleb Simper	76	(2)
Real people — essentials	78	(1)
6 Who do you trust?	79	(14)
Whose site is it?	82	(1)
Who wrote the text?	82	(3)
Is there contact information?	85	(1)
What is the presentation like?	85	(1)
How's the spelling?	86	(1)
Is the page consistent?	86	(1)
Are basic facts right?	86	(1)
Protecting yourself (multiple sources)	87	(1)
Why would they lie?	88	(1)
I'm right, you're wrong	89	(3)
Who to trust — the essentials	92	(1)
7 Collecting output	93	(12)
Collecting in Word	93	(2)
OneNote to bind them all	95	(1)
Giving it structure	96	(4)
Mapping your mind	100	(3)
Collecting output — the essentials	103	(2)
8 Making text your own	105	(38)
Cut and paste	106	(1)
Collect and modify	107	(6)
Collate and write	113	(2)
Write and refine	115	(2)
Editing down	117	(2)
Padding up	119	(1)
Turning information into original work	120	(1)
Making the information more readable	121	(4)
Presenting the information a different way	125	(1)
Charting troubled waters	126	(6)
Pulling together elements of the information that don't otherwise appear together	132	(4)
Putting your own opinions alongside the factual content	136	(1)
Quoting your sources	137	(4)
Proud of what you've done?	141	(1)
Making text your own — the essentials	141	(2)
9 Keeping up to date	143	(10)
RSS rules	143	(2)
Read all about it	145	(2)
Where's the stuff?	147	(1)
Just a quick letter	148	(3)
What's new, what's good?	151	(1)
Blog away	151	(1)
Online exam preparation	152	(1)
So what are you waiting for?	152	(1)
Index	153