Modern society receives a relatively big part of information using information communication devices. Information search possibilities are rapidly growing. On the other hand, the amount of information itself is expanding. One of the quickest ways of finding information is using internet search engines, e.g., “Google”, “Yahoo”, “AltaVista” and others. Their usage undoubtedly makes big influence on education. Pupils’ ability to find the necessary information is highly relevant. Thus, information search literacy is an inseparable component of general education. It is not enough only to find information, it is necessary to use it in the most effective way. Seeking to improve pupils’ information skills, it is necessary to know current position of an analysed question. The object of this research is information search using ICT. The aim of the research is to analyse how comprehensive school upper class students use ICT for information search. It has been ascertained by a research what additional information sources pupils use, where and how they get necessary literature, what information search engines and what electronic information sources they use most frequently. At least a few times per week apart from textbooks respondents use other literature as well (books, dictionaries, handbooks) for learning purposes. They use encyclopaedias very seldom or don’t use them at all. Pupils usually read books and newspapers which they have at home. They also use internet and library service; however, it is not popular to borrow books from friends or buy them. Pupils use internet daily both for leisure and learning. Girls more often than boys use internet for learning and for leisure – they use it equally. Respondents usually search information through Google search engine, less frequently – through Delfi. The other search engines and catalogues mentioned in the questionnaire are used very seldom, especially HotBot, Penki, On.lt and others. Both girls and boys, town and region pupils equally use search engines and catalogues. From electronic information sources respondents most frequently use internet encyclopaedia Wikipedia. Internet books and e magazines are read once a month on average, virtual library is scarcely used. It is absolutely not popular to use such sources as Nerandu.lt, tingiu.lt, Speros.lt.
Key words: comprehensive school, electronic information sources, ICT, information search.
What Do You Need to Know to Use a Search Engine? Why We Still Need to Teach Research Skills
