Our First Search

Our first essay this quarter is asking you to compare two different internet search strategies for finding the most helpful information quickly.   We'll build this essay together in small pieces through the work we do the first couple of weeks of the quarter.

To begin, we need a "baseline"--we need to see what happens with the most simple internet search.  For this assignment, I'm going to ask that you use Google Links to an external site., even if you prefer another search engine for your personal needs.

Assignment:

Write out your responses to each step below.  You can compose your answers in the textbox within Canvas, or submit them in a Google Doc (remember to change the share settings in the Doc so that anyone with the link can edit).  Answers do not have to be in complete sentences, except where specified.

1. Identify a search term.  Since our essay is asking you to find information about your dream job (or dream volunteer position), tell me what that is here.  Be as specific as possible.  For instance, if you want to be a nurse, clarify if you prefer Geriatric Nursing, or Pediatric Nursing, or Surgical Nursing, etc.
2. Google that search term.  Tell me how many results you get (this number will appear underneath the search box).
3. Investigate the paid results.  How many sponsored links did you end up with?  These will appear with a beige background at the top or to the right of your search results.  Click on at least one of these, and tell me in a couple of sentences what the sponsored link is for and if it gives you any useful information about your career goals. (It's okay if you don't actually get any paid results. Just say so in your response.)
4. Observe results on the first page.  You should have 10 links that aren't sponsored ads on the first page.  Do any website names seem familiar to you in this list?  Tell me in a sentence or two what you may know about the search results, before you open any of the links.
5. Investigate the search results.  Click on at least 3 of the results on the first page.  Write a short paragraph about each, that describes what the page is, how relevant it is to your search topic, and whether it provides any information that you would consider useful in your personal life. 
6. Summarize this activity.  In a short paragraph, would you say that this search term gave you the results you were looking for?  If you were to do another search after this one, what would you change?  Why?

You can type your answers directly into Canvas's textbox, or submit a link to a Google Drive document with sharing enabled.