Patent ID: 8027991

Claim:
A method of providing enhanced on-line computer searching capabilities, the method comprising the steps of: (a) forming a thesaurus database including first core concept terms and a series of secondary related terms, related to said core concept terms; (b) providing a user interface to said database for selection of first core concept terms by a user; (c) instructing said user on various methods of information seeking through a teaching tool comprising at least three subcomponents, said at least three subcomponents being speech bubbles that tells said user what is happening or clarifying information, banners that provide information of other subjects that are included in said thesaurus database, and ‘pop-ups’ that explain stages of information seeking and factors that make up academically acceptable and authoritative material; (d) providing said user an interactive subject selection screen comprising a list of subjects from which user selects at least one subject; (e) connecting a subject data screen to said subject selection screen, said subject data screen allows said user to commence an internet search; (f) upon selection of a core concept term by a user, carrying out a search for information relating to the core concept terms and of the secondary related terms; (g) providing the user with the results of said search and (h) providing a script including sub elements comprising: saving said search in a separate folder created by said user; selecting a record from said list; saving said record in a personal folder; and determining if said record was saved, and if said record was saved, providing to said user the option of identifying if said record is authoritative and if said record is usable for academic referencing.