SEARCHing for an Answer: The Critical Role of New Literacies While Reading on the Internet

It is increasingly clear that the Internet will be the defining technology for reading, writing, and communication in the 21st century. But without the ability to locate information in an efficient and effective manner, students' access to information on the Internet is limited. This article introduces SEARCH, a strategy classroom teachers can use to assist students in becoming better searchers. SEARCH includes setting a purpose, employing effective search strategies, analyzing search engine results, reading critically and synthesizing information, citing sources, and a reflective component in which students ask “How successful was the search?” in order to review the success of the techniques implemented. Additional resources that provide practice in searching for information on the Internet are also presented.

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