By Brad Ross
Imagine doing a keyword search using "the arts." Let me
save you a few minutes and tell you that "the arts" returned 750,000 hits. Even
the greenest newbie will tell you that a simple search like that can be a colossal waste
of time.
So, where do you begin when "the arts" encompasses everything from music, to
drama, to sculpture, to the novel, to architecture and, well
you see the point.
This is not a primer on search engines and how to find a needle among needles. All of
the major search engines and web directories have FAQs frequently asked questions
on how to conduct useful searches on the web.
But you do need to consider, carefully, what it is you want from the web when you go
looking. Are you conducting research? Are you looking to be entertained? Do you want the
experience to be a passive one, or would you like to interact with what you find? Are you
looking only for Canadian-based sites, or do you want a global perspective?
Defining your search criteria is key. Teachers who are teaching the new arts curriculum
this fall might want to visit these sites. While they dont address the curriculum
document directly, they give a flavour of the diversity of sites out there and help you
hone your own web searches to a fine art.