Connect to and surf the internet/Activity Sheet 1

Learning Outcomes
This learning module aims to develop your internet skills and understanding of the online environment.

Getting Started
This tutorial will give you some background on the internet.

If you don't have an internet connection yet and want to get one, running through this tutorial could help you to choose an ISP.

You will need to buy a headset as part of your course related costs. Here are a few options.
 * Supercheap PC is generally a good source of computer equipment
 * Logitech seem to be quite well regarded

Using a Web Browser
If you don't feel confident surfing the internet or using an internet browser, these tutorials might be good to help get you started.
 * Internet Browsers
 * Web Addresses
 * Browser Buttons

Try It

 * Go to the Metservice website - http://www.metservice.co.nz
 * Remember to open the metservice in another tab by right-clicking.


 * Find out what the weather is going to be like in Dunedin over the next couple of days
 * Have a look at the Maps and Observations section >

Searching the Web
If you aren't familiar with using search engines to find information on the internet, this tutorial is very useful.

This tutorial will help you to search for information more effectively and is recommended for beginner to intermediate users.

Try It

 * What's one of your main interests at the moment?
 * Investigate this interest by searching using Google.
 * Find at least 2 websites that you find interesting. Make sure you add them into your favourites.
 * Search in the same area using at least two other search engines (Clue: Type "search engine" into your current search engine).
 * Do you get different results?
 * Which search engine do you prefer?

Internet Safety
This tutorial is highly recommended if you are not familiar with what a computer virus is, and how it could infiltrate your computer.

If you don't already have an anti-virus program, it's highly recommended that you get one immediately. AVG Anti-virus is one of the better free anti-virus applications.

Bibiliography
BBC's Webwise

Contributors
--David McQuillan 2008