Basic Internet Class 

 

 

 

Class Description /  Class Outline / Class Handout/ Internet Resources / Library Resources /Glossary of Computer Terms/ 
For Additional Help

                                                         

I.  Class Description

This class is an introduction to the Internet, with an emphasis on the World Wide Web

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II. Class Outline

  What is the Internet?

 Browsers

 Navigation

  Printing

  Loading Web Pages

 Evaluating Web Sites

 Library's homepage demonstration

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III.  Class Handout

1. What is the Internet?

  • Worldwide connection of computer networks that allows access to information stored on those computers.

 

2. Browsers

  • Browsers are software programs that allow a user to navigate the Internet.

    • Internet Explorer

    • Netscape Navigator

    • Firefox

    • Opera

    • Mac’s Safari

  • Internet Explorer

    • Double click (with the left mouse button) on the I.E. icon on the computer screen

3. Navigation

  • Tool Bar

    • Back

    • Forward

    • Stop

    • Home

  • Scroll Bars

    • Used to view information that does not fit on the screen

      • Vertical Scroll Bar

        • Allows the user to view information that does not fit at the bottom of the web page.

          • Click on the up or down arrow.

          • Click on the bar and drag.

          • Click on the bar itself.

      • Horizontal Scroll Bar

        • Allows the user to view information that does not fit horizontally on the screen.

          • Click on the arrow

          • Click and drag the scroll bar

          • Click on the bar itself

4. Printing

  • Click on “file”

  • Click on “Print Preview”  

    • Allows you to see what your document will look like when you print

    • Allows the user to know how many pages will be printed.

5. Loading Web Pages

  • URL

    • The URL (Universal Resource Locator) is the web address. Ex: www.wrl.org

    • If you know the URL of the site you want to go to you can type it in directly.

    • Practice:  We want to visit the MedlinePlus web site and we know that the web address is: www.medlineplus.gov.

      • In the address bar type the above address.

      • Hit enter or click on “go”

  • Links

    • From within a page you can click on a link to go to another web page.

    • The cursor will turn into a hand when it is on a link.

    • Practice: We are at the MedlinePlus webpage and we would like to view “drug information” We can use links to get to the page.

      • To get back to Medlineplus’ home page you can click on the back button

      • Or you can right click the back button and click on the appropriate page.

      • Now click on “home” to take you back to the library’s home page.

  • Search Engines/Directories

    • If you do not know the web address, a search engine allows you to search the web by typing in a subject.

o       Practice:  Go to the search directory www.yahoo.com We would like to find information about Shetland sheepdogs In the search box type Shetland sheepdogs.

o       Practice:  Go to the search engine www.google.com and search for a recipe for chocolate chip cookies.

 

6. Evaluating Web Sites

  • Ask yourself the following questions:

    • Who provided/sponsors the site?

    • What are the author’s credentials?

    • How current is the web page?

    • Is the information provided accurate?

    • Is the site designed well and easy to navigate?

  • Domain names:

    • .com – commercial site

    • .edu – higher education

    • .gov – government agency

    • .net – Internet service provider

    • .org - organization

 

7. Library’s Home Page (Demonstration)

o      Click on “WRL Information”

o      Click on “Information Resources

o      Click on Recommended Websites

  •      List of resources on a variety of topics compiled by reference librarians.

 

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IV. Internet Resources

 

Basic Guide to the Internet

http://www.bedford.lib.nh.us/Search.htm

Internet 101 Beginners Handbook

http://netforbeginners.about.com/cs/internet101/a/inet_handbook.htm

HelpWeb Guide to the Internet

http://www.imagescape.com/helpweb/welcome.html

Internet Public Library's Internet Guide

 http://www.ipl.org/div/subject/browse/com50.00.00/

How the Internet Works

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/internet-infrastructure.htm

Searching the World Wide Web

http://library.albany.edu/internet/internet.html

 

 

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V. Library Resources

 

Discovering the Internet: Brief Concepts & Techniques  by Gary Shelly  004.678  SHE  2004 
The Internet For Dummies  by John Levine  025.04 LEV  2003
365 Internet Tips  by Christian Schnieders  025.04 SCH  2001 
Learn the Internet Levels 1-3 (videos) V 004.678 LEA  2001 
The Family Guide to the Internet (video)  004.678 FAM  2000  
Internet Basics Without Fear  by Shaun Fawcett  004.678 FAW  2000 
The Internet For Busy People  025.04 CRU  2000 

  

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VI. Glossary of Computer Terms

 

Database: An organized collection of information that can be accessed through a computer network.  
Directory: A catalog of sites by subject.  
Dragging: The process of moving an object by clicking on it with the left mouse button,  &, while holding the button down, move the object to its desired location & release.  
E-mail: Electronic messages sent between computers that are connected on a network. 
HTML:  (HyperText Markup Language) A set of commands & rules for encoding files on the Internet. 
Home Page: Usually the first page you see at a Web site, it is the site's main page.  
Hyperlinks: Text or images on a Web page that link you to another web page or a different part of the same page.  Hyperlinks are usually underlined & a different color than other text on the same page, & the mouse cursor will change into a pointed finger when you place the mouse over them. 
Internet: A diverse set of interlinked world-wide computer networks.   
Mouse: A hand held input device that allows users to point & click to make selections on the screen 
Search Engine: A software program that searches for information on the Internet based on your search criteria. Two examples are Yahoo ( www.yahoo.com ) & Google ( www.google.com ).  
URL: ( Universal Resource Locator) An address on the Internet. You type a URL into your browser to visit a website. An example is www.wrl.org. 
Web Browser: A software program for viewing & accessing information on the World Wide Web. Netscape Navigator & Internet Explorer are the most widely used & popular Web Browsers today. 
World Wide Web: The largest collection of information available online through the Internet 

 

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VII. For Additional Help

 

Ask a Reference Librarian

WRL computer volunteers: call 259-4050 for the latest volunteer schedule 

 

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