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      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can identify how to use a search engine effectively.

      Key learning points

      1. Specific information can be found using a web search.
      2. Search terms can be refined to narrow down the information found from a search.
      3. Different search engines can produce different results.

      Keywords

      • Search term - the words typed into a search engine to find information

      • Refine - to make something clearer or more accurate

      • Algorithm - a precise set of ordered steps, which can be followed by a human or a computer to do a task

      Common misconception

      Search terms don't have to be specific as computers are so advanced now they can guess what you want from whatever you enter in a search.

      The more specific the search term, the more relevant the search results. A search engine might find results with additional keywords but this does mean the results could be broad.

      Teacher tip

      It is important to check the search terms used in the school network to ensure they are accessible within your environment. Check that the examples used before the lesson can be accessed on pupil devices, as well as the device that you are using.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What is a system?

      a single machine
      a random collection of items
      Correct answer: a group of parts working together
      a task completed by humans

      Q2.
      What does automation mean?

      a human-controlled process
      Correct answer: a task completed without human help
      a manual task
      a broken system

      Q3.
      How do computer systems benefit society?

      by being expensive
      by causing problems
      Correct answer: by making tasks easier
      by requiring constant human input

      Q4.
      What is required from humans to start a computer system?

      Correct Answer: input

      Q5.
      What is the result produced by a computer system after processing input?

      Correct Answer: output

      Q6.
      What is the best way to find accurate information on the internet?

      click on the first link you see
      open random websites
      ask a friend for help
      Correct answer: use keywords in a search engine

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What is a search term?

      Correct answer: a single word or phrase used in a search engine
      a full sentence
      a random collection of words
      a question asked to a friend

      Q2.
      How can you refine a search?

      add unrelated words
      use only one word
      avoid using keywords
      Correct answer: use more specific terms

      Q3.
      Why might different search engines produce different results?

      Correct answer: they use different algorithms
      they all show the same results
      they copy each other
      they don’t use algorithms

      Q4.
      Arrange the process of using a search engine:

      1 - type a search term
      2 - review the results
      3 - refine the search if needed
      4 - click on a reliable result

      Q5.
      Match the keywords to their definitions:

      Correct Answer:search term,words typed into a search engine

      words typed into a search engine

      Correct Answer:refine,make something clearer or more accurate

      make something clearer or more accurate

      Correct Answer:algorithm,a set of ordered steps for completing a task

      a set of ordered steps for completing a task

      Correct Answer:reliable,something you can trust

      something you can trust

      Q6.
      Why is it important to use specific search terms?

      to confuse the search engine
      to make the search slower
      Correct answer: to get more relevant results
      to avoid finding any results

      To help you plan your 5 computing lesson on: Searching the web, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...