The following search tools are suitable
for students in the Early and Late Adolescence
phases of development and as teacher resources. They
have been grouped into different categories.
Search engines are huge databases of webpage files that have
been assembled automatically by machine. When a search query
is entered a search engine scans its index of sites and matches
the keywords and phrases with those in texts of documents within
the search engine's database.
- AllTheWeb
AlltheWeb combines one of
the largest and freshest indices with powerful search
features to ensure fast and efficient searching. A
good alternative to Google.
- Google
A clear, uncluttered, easy-to-use
interface, accurate results, a revolutionary ranking
system and added features make this an ongoing favourite.
- Teoma
(now merged with Ask.com)
Teoma uses advanced technology to locate communities
on the web within their specific subject areas. Results
are presented in three different formats making it
easy to view results and refine search.
- Yahoo!
Yahoo! is well recognised as a
major directory but has now shifted to using web-based
listings as its main results. The directory can
still be accessed from the main search page or can
be reached directly from its own address (see Directories).
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Meta search engines do not compile databases.
Instead, they search the databases of multiple sets of individual
engines simultaneously.
- Vivisimo
Vivisimo queries many major search engines,
automatically categorises results and presents them
in an easy-to-view format. Its clustering technology
allows searchers to gain an excellent overview of
any topic.
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In recent times the term Invisible Web has come into
use. Also known as the Hidden or Deep Web it refers
to the growing store of information that is not visible or accessible
to standard search engines. Fortunately, there are guides to
the thousands of databases that make up the Invisible Web.
- Direct
Search
This very interesting site gives
a clear indication of the many databases that are
normally hidden from view. It has a strong American
bias but if you scroll down you will find Australian
sites, some useful education resources and valuable
statistics.
Teacher resource for Early Adolescence, Late Adolescence.
- Invisible
Web: What it is, Why it exists, How to find it, and
Its inherent ambiguity
UC Berkeley Library, US
Provides a helpful explanation of the Invisible Web
and suggests a number of links to sites that are not
readily available to standard search engines.
Teacher resource for Early to Late Adolescence.
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The Resource Discovery Network (RDN)
and the Librarian's Index to the Internet are two sites
that are not "pure" Invisible Web directories, but contain a
considerable number of sites that are not indexed by conventional
search engines. Information about these two sites is provided
in the Directories section of this site.
Directories, unlike search engines, are created
and maintained by human editors. The editors review and select
sites for inclusion on the basis of previously determined selection
criteria.
- About
The content found in the About
directory is overseen by hundreds of guides. Their
role is to gather sites related to their particular
field of interest, provide guidance, initiate discussion,
moderate chats and write articles.
- Academic
Info
A no frills but nonetheless extremely
well organised directory of carefully selected sites.
A monthly email update is available free of charge.
- BUBL
BUBL uses the Dewey Decimal Classification
system as the primary organisation structure for its
catalogue of Internet resources.
- FindArticles.com
FindArticles.com is a vast
archive of published articles that can be searched
for free. Constantly updated, it contains articles
dating back to 1998 from more than 300 magazines and
journals.
- Infomine
A multi-disciplined, annotated
directory of over 40,000 links to "university
level research and educational tools on the Internet."
Includes "databases, electronic journals, electronic
books, bulletin boards, mailing lists, online library
card catalogs, articles...[and] other types of information."
Searchable and browsable.
- Internet
Archive
The Internet Archive is a digital
library of Internet sites and other cultural artefacts
in digital form. It was established with the purpose
of offering permanent access to historical collections
that exist in digital format.
- The
Internet Public Library
This site is arranged like a library
with a Reference Centre, Reading Room, Subject Collections
and Special Collections. The annotated references
have been carefully selected and will be of use to
both students and teachers.
- Intute
Created by a network of UK universities
and partners. Subject specialists select and evaluate
the websites in the database and write high quality
descriptions of the resources. The database contains
113503 records.
- Librarians’
Index to the Internet
The Librarians’ Index to
the Internet is a searchable, annotated subject directory
of more than 11,000 Internet resources selected and
evaluated by librarians for their usefulness to users
of public libraries.
- Resource
Discovery Network
The RDN is a collaboration of over
seventy educational and research organisations, including
the Natural History Museum and the British Library.
In contrast to search engines, the RDN gathers resources
which are carefully selected, indexed and described
by specialists. Websites selected by RDN are
relevant to learning, teaching and research.
- Yahoo!
Directory
A new, streamlined interface to
this well-established directory provides links to
other Yahoo! search options.
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The following Search Engines and
Directories have a specialty focus.
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Arts
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- Artifact
Artifact is a free guide to the
best of the Web for the Arts and Creative Industries.
It covers subjects such as Architecture; Communications,
Media and Culture; Design; Fashion and Beauty; Music
and the Performing Arts; and Visual Arts.
- Intute:Arts
and Humanities
A free online service providing
you with access to the very best web resources for
education and research, evaluated and selected by
a network of subject specialists.
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| Health & Physical Education |
- Altis
This service aims to provide a
trusted source of selected, high quality Internet
information for students, lecturers, researchers and
practitioners in the areas of hospitality, leisure,
sport and tourism.
- Intute:
Health and Life Sciences
A free online service
providing you with access to the very best web resources
for education and research, evaluated and selected
by a network of subject specialists.
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| Science |
- Intute:
Science Engineering and Technology
A free online service providing you with access to
the very best Web resources for education and research,
evaluated and selected by a network of subject specialists.
It covers the physical sciences, engineering, computing,
geography, mathematics and environmental science.
- Scirus:
For scientific information only
This Science-Specific Search Engine
provides access to scientific journals as well as
unpublished research, university websites, corporate
Internet sites, conference agendas and minutes, discussion
groups and mailing-list archives.
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| Social Sciences |
- Intute:
Social Sciences
A free online service providing
you with access to the very best web resources for
education and research, evaluated and selected by
a network of subject specialists.
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| Technology and Enterprise |
- Altis
This service aims to provide a
trusted source of selected, high quality Internet
information for students, lecturers, researchers and
practitioners in the areas of hospitality, leisure,
sport and tourism.
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- KartOO
Displays results in chart or classic
list form. Options include different language interfaces
and basic or expert version
- Webbrain
WebBrain lets you search the Web
visually, so you can explore a dynamic picture of
related information, instead of searching through
long lists of text.
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- CMIS
Internet Gateways
The CMIS Internet Gateways site
links to major portals for education, government,
news and generalities.
- In particular, the Curriculum
Resources section could be
considered an extension of the directories listed
above.
- EdNA
Online
EdNA Online is a service that aims
to support and promote the benefits of the Internet
for learning, education and training in Australia.
Click onto School
Education for theme
pages, a calendar for Australian Schools and other
school focused results..
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| Search Engines |
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| Meta Search Engines |
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| The Invisible Web |
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| Directories |
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| Subject Specific Searches |
Arts
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| Health and Phys Ed |
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Science |
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| Social Sciences |
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| Visual Interface Engines |
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| Internet Gateways |
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