Forming an instructional approach to teach web searching skills to non‐English users
Program: electronic library and information systems
ISSN: 0033-0337
Article publication date: 1 May 2007
Abstract
Purpose
Locating information on the internet is an important skill in the Information Society. Some recent studies showed that searching using non‐English terms is a more demanding task than searching in English. Based on these observations, this paper aims to apply the Instructional System Design (ISD) methodology to analyse, design and implement a training course for Greek users. This instructional approach considers the explanation of the internal search engine intelligence and inefficiencies with respect to non‐English natural language as its basic structural element.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the ISD methodology, the tasks that needed to be trained as a web searcher were identified and a six‐phase instructional sequence was constructed. The instructional methodology is evaluated with the aid of students in an authentic environment.
Findings
The evaluation revealed that learners who followed the structured approach and were aware of the search engines' limitations relating to the Greek language performed better in the web searching experiments.
Originality/value
The instructional methodology described can be applied in any course which aims at teaching basic web searching skills. The instructional approach presented can also be adapted to other non‐English languages.
Keywords
Citation
Lazarinis, F. (2007), "Forming an instructional approach to teach web searching skills to non‐English users", Program: electronic library and information systems, Vol. 41 No. 2, pp. 170-179. https://doi.org/10.1108/00330330710742935
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group Publishing Limited