USING TECHNOLOGY TO EXTRACT INFORMATION AND EVALUATE

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Using the Internet?

• The internet is a network of connected computers – across the world. It is a WAN or Wide Area Network.

Internet TerminologyTerm MeaningWeb browser Software application used to access the internet, eg Internet

explorer

URL Website address is sometimes known as a URL – Uniform Resource Locator eg www.obanhigh.com is a URL

Search Engine A special website which will find pages related to key words keyed in by the user. Examples include Google, Yahoo, Bing, Ask

Homepage The homepage is usually the first page displayed and it will have general information and links to other areas of the site. It will usually have a search box which allows the user to find info on that site

Hyperlink Most websites contain hyperlinks which allow the user to go from one part of the site to another. The mouse changes to a pointing finger when it appears over a hyperlink

Downloading This refers to the user taking information from the internet and saving it on their own computer

Bookmarks/Favourites

These are frequently visited sites which can be saved – this means the full web address need not be keyed in each time the site is visited

What can the Internet be Used For?• Researching

– eg travel/accommodation costs

– Travel routes eg for salespeople

– Latest travel information– Competitors’

prices/promotions– Latest news– Government publications

• Advertising the company• E-commerce

– Selling products online 24/7– Buying products, best deals,

comparing suppliers

• Booking travel/hotels• Using e-mail• Web conferencing• Gaining customer feedback

and reviews

Advantages of Using Reliable Websites

• Information is usually up-to-date – many websites are updated on a regular basis (eg CalMac)

• Vast range of information is available – much easier to compare prices for example

• Websites may give more detailed information than printed material like brochures which become out of date quickly and can’t link to videos etc

• Convenience – users can access information 24/7, whenever it is convenient for them

• Information is instantly available, eg seat information when booking theatre tickets or latest new reports

How do I Know a Site is Reliable

• Be selective – anyone can create a website• Use websites from well-known organisations (eg

the BBC or government) or reputable websites• Try to use regularly updated websites – they are

more likely to be accurate• Look carefully – does it look poorly designed and

substandard? If so, it is maybe a fake!• Use a secure website if paying for goods – look

for https in the web address or a padlock sign

Consequences of Using Unreliable Websites

• Using an out of date timetable could mean missing important meetings

• Using fake websites could mean buying goods which are not genuine articles and they could be faulty or even dangerous eg in the case of electrical equipment

• Anyone can post information so it is important to be selective and not use biased information (someone’s personal opinion)

• Using a website which is not secure could mean your credit card details could be stolen

Using an Intranet

• An intranet is an internal network used to share information within an organisation. It is a LAN or Local Area Network

• Employees can use the organisation’s intranet to access company files, forms to complete, product information and price lists etc. It can also be used for internal e-mail, e-diary and sharing software. We use the intranet to access files – Pupil Files.

Advantages of using an Intranet

• All employees have access to the same current information

• Time is saved as information needs only to be updated once

• Cost savings – no need to print documents• Communication is improved through use of e-

mail and e-diaries