Class: Junior Secondary School 2 (JSS 2 / JS2)
Term: 3rd Term
Week: 5
Age: 13 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Basic Science and Technology
Curriculum Theme: Computer Studies / Information Technology
Previous Lesson: Internet Environment: Characteristics and Features of Internet Environment.
Topic: NETWORK GROUPS
Subject Matter: Search engines

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain:

Define a search engine.
Explain how a search engine works.
Identify different types of search engines.
State the functions of search engines.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the importance of search engines for accessing information.
Develop an interest in using search engines for research.

Psychomotor Domain:

Perform basic searches using a chosen search engine.
Identify relevant search results from a search engine results page.

Use search engines responsibly and ethically.
Collaborate with peers to find information online.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum for Basic Science and Technology.
State Unified Scheme of Work for JSS 2 Basic Science and Technology.
Basic Science and Technology for Junior Secondary Schools, Book 2.
https://www.google.com
https://www.bing.com
https://www.duckduckgo.com

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

A functional computer system.
A projector and screen.
Internet access.
Whiteboard and markers.
Charts showing examples of search engine interfaces.

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand how to find information on the internet efficiently. It enables them to use search engines as a tool for learning, research, and staying informed in their daily lives.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils should have basic knowledge of the internet, web browsers, and how to access websites.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Search Engines

Definition of a Search Engine

A search engine is a software system designed to carry out web searches. It searches the World Wide Web in a systematic way for particular information specified in a textual web search query.

How Search Engines Work

Search engines work in three main stages:

Crawling: Search engines use programs called “web crawlers” or “spiders” to discover new and updated web pages.
Indexing: Information from the crawled pages is stored in a massive database, creating an index. This index organizes the content by keywords and other data.
Ranking: When a user enters a query, the search engine uses algorithms to rank the indexed pages by relevance and display them in a Search Engine Results Page (SERP).

Types of Search Engines

The following are common types of search engines:

Crawler-based Search Engines: These use automated programs (crawlers) to index web pages. Examples include Google, Bing, and Yahoo.
Directory-based Search Engines: These rely on human editors to categorize and list websites. While less common now, they provide curated results.
Meta Search Engines: These send queries to several other search engines and compile the results. Examples include DuckDuckGo and Dogpile.

Functions/Uses of Search Engines

Search engines serve several important functions:

To find specific information on any topic.
To discover new websites and online resources.
To research for academic assignments and projects.
To get news, weather updates, and current events.
To locate products, services, and businesses.

Examples of Popular Search Engines

Some widely used search engines include:

Google
Bing
Yahoo
DuckDuckGo
Ecosia
Ask.com

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks pupils how they find information when they need to research a topic or find a specific website online.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils share their experiences, mentioning methods like asking friends, using textbooks, or searching online.
Learning Point: Pupils are introduced to the concept of finding information online.

Step 2: Definition of Search Engine

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines a search engine, explaining its purpose as a tool for finding information on the internet.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and copy the definition into their notebooks.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the basic meaning of a search engine.

Step 3: How Search Engines Work

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Illustration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the three main stages of how search engines work: crawling, indexing, and ranking, using simple analogies.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, ask questions for clarification, and take notes.
Learning Point: Pupils grasp the basic operational mechanism of search engines.

Step 4: Types and Examples of Search Engines

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Listing/Categorization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses different types of search engines and provides examples of popular ones like Google, Bing, and DuckDuckGo.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify and list the types and examples of search engines.
Learning Point: Pupils can differentiate between various search engine types and name popular examples.

Step 5: Functions/Uses of Search Engines

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Discussion/Brainstorming
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a discussion on the various functions and uses of search engines in daily life and for academic purposes.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils contribute ideas and list the uses of search engines.
Learning Point: Pupils recognize the practical applications and importance of search engines.

Step 6: Practical Demonstration

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Practical Application
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates how to perform a simple search using a projector, showing how to type a query and interpret the results.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the demonstration and ask questions about the search process.
Learning Point: Pupils see a practical application of using a search engine.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

What is a search engine?
Mention two stages involved in how a search engine works.
List three examples of search engines.
State two functions of a search engine.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.
Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the key points of the lesson and assigns homework, which could involve pupils performing a simple search at home and noting the results.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy down the homework.
Learning Point: Pupils reinforce their understanding and prepare for further practice.

Lesson Keywords

Search engine – A program that searches for and identifies items in a database that correspond to keywords or characters specified by the user.
Query – A request for information from a search engine.
Web crawler – An automated program that browses the World Wide Web in a methodical, automated manner.
Index – A large database of information collected by a search engine from web pages.
Algorithm – A set of rules or instructions followed by a computer to solve a problem or perform a task.
Results page – The page displayed by a search engine after a user submits a query, showing a list of relevant websites.

Differentiation

For struggling learners, the teacher will provide simplified search tasks and offer one-on-one guidance during practical demonstration. Advanced learners will be encouraged to explore advanced search techniques, such as using specific operators (e.g., quotation marks for exact phrases, minus sign to exclude words) and evaluating the credibility of search results.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Ensure that internet connectivity is stable for the practical demonstration. Encourage pupils to use various search engines to compare results. Emphasize the importance of critical thinking when evaluating information found online.