Narrow the playing field. Just as you wouldn't turn your students loose with a set of encyclopedias or a stack of Ranger Rick magazines, you shouldn't expect them to find information online without a framework. This was Mr. Harris's biggest mistake. If he had taken the time to identify appropriate sites about Washington, D.C., in advance and then either bookmarked the sites or posted their URLs, he wouldn't have lost control of his class's online research exercise. Know your search engines.
Search engines are indispensable tools for Web-based research.
Most, however, are too indiscriminate to be useful to young users. Limit your students to these as they explore specific topics you have researched in advance. Consider using a filter. Although I am convinced there is no substitute for having a hawkeyed teacher or parent on hand any time children are online, filtering devices function as a useful safety net. Use the World Wide Web to lighten your load.