--- title: "Searching and Evaluating Online" description: "Choose search words that match a question, explain how a program selects and orders search results, and check whether a page is relevant and supported by evidence. A high search position does not prov" canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/computing/searching-and-evaluating-online-mt_S-XboPwA8k source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/computing/searching-and-evaluating-online-mt_S-XboPwA8k.md retrieved: 2026-11-12 --- > **Agent view.** This is the Markdown twin of the page, for tools and assistants. > When to use this site, and the call that answers each job: https://lightmysky.com/agent-instructions.md > API description (OpenAPI 3.1): https://lightmysky.com/openapi.json · Authentication: https://lightmysky.com/auth.md > Pricing: https://lightmysky.com/pricing.md · Catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms.txt · Full catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms-full.txt > Every machine-readable file on this domain: https://lightmysky.com/.well-known/ai-catalog.json > Ask for Markdown with `Accept: text/markdown`, a `.md` address, or `?mode=agent`. # Searching and Evaluating Online Choose search words that match a question, explain how a program selects and orders search results, and check whether a page is relevant and supported by evidence. A high search position does not prove a claim is true. Subject: Computing · Area: Computing Fundamentals · Ages 8 to 11 Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/computing/searching-and-evaluating-online-mt_S-XboPwA8k ## Ready when they can - Refine a search by changing keywords when the first results aren't useful (e.g., 'Saturn rings facts' instead of 'space') - Explain that search results are ranked by a program and that the top result is not automatically the best or truest - Check who wrote a page and compare it with a second source before believing a surprising claim ## Lesson: Searching and Evaluating Online A search engine uses a program to find pages that may match your words. For a question about Saturn's rings, try 'Saturn rings facts' instead of 'space'. If results miss your question, add a detail or try another word with the same meaning. Open a result and check whether it answers your question. *(drawing: The second search names the topic you need.)* A program selects and orders results using signals such as how well pages match your search. This is called ranking. A high position does not prove a page is true. Results marked 'Ad' or 'Sponsored' have paid placement, not a prize for accuracy. **Example.** Compare what each writer knows about the topic and what evidence each page gives. Relevant knowledge and evidence give more support than a name alone. Notes from watching something are evidence you can check. Omar compares pages about fish this way, then checks another source's own evidence. These checks do not prove a claim. *(drawing: Compare the evidence, not just how the pages look.)* Two pages may repeat one claim because both copied the same source. That is not two separate checks. Look for where each page got its information. If sources disagree, check their evidence before deciding. For information that can change, such as opening times, check the date too. **Tip.** A page can match your question and still need a fact check. **Recap.** Match your search words to your question. Search position is not proof. Check the writer and evidence, then compare another source. *Lesson, questions and flashcards written for this dataset.* ## Practice 8 questions on this page, each with its working shown. ## Optional connections - [Networks and the Internet](https://lightmysky.com/learn/computing/networks-and-the-internet-mt_JmrMg6v8V_) ## Opens up - [Why a Chatbot Can Be Confidently Wrong](https://lightmysky.com/learn/computing/why-a-chatbot-can-be-confidently-wrong-mt_TMHNkprrks) - [Cyber Threats and How Systems Defend](https://lightmysky.com/learn/computing/cyber-threats-and-how-systems-defend-mt_zMJzhIdEWd)