A web browser is software used to access and view websites. Common browsers include Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge.

Basic browser features:

• Address bar – where you type a website URL or search terms
• Back and Forward buttons – move between previously visited pages
• Refresh button – reload the current page
• Tabs – open multiple websites in one window
• Bookmarks – save favorite websites for quick access
• History – list of pages you have visited

When you need specific information online, you use a search engine. A search engine is software that finds web pages matching your keywords.

Popular Search Engines

• Google (www.google.com)
• Bing (www.bing.com)
• Yahoo (www.yahoo.com)

How to Search Effectively

Step 1: Open a web browser and go to a search engine Step 2: Type your keywords in the search bar Step 3: Press Enter to see results Step 4: Click on the most relevant result

Search Tips

• Use specific keywords for better results. Instead of "weather," type "Dar es Salaam weather"
• Use quotation marks for exact phrases: "form two results"
• Use AND to narrow results: Internet AND education
• Use OR to broaden results: Math OR Mathematics

Example: If you want to find information about NECTA exam results, you would search for "NECTA form two results" or NECTA AND form two AND 2024

Email is a system for sending and receiving digital messages over the Internet. Every email account has a unique address in the format: username@domain.com

Types of Email Addresses

Commercial (free) emails:

• studentname@gmail.com (Gmail)
• studentname@yahoo.com (Yahoo)
• studentname@outlook.com (Outlook)

Organisational emails:

• teacher@tie.go.tz (Tanzania Institute of Education)
• student@udom.ac.tz (University of Dodoma)

Creating an Email Account

Step 1: Open your browser and go to an email provider (e.g., www.gmail.com) Step 2: Click "Create account" Step 3: Fill in your personal details (name, phone number, birthdate) Step 4: Choose an email address and password Step 5: Verify your phone number with the code sent via SMS Step 6: Your account is ready

Composing and Sending an Email

Step 1: Sign in to your email account Step 2: Click "Compose" or "New Message" Step 3: Fill in the recipient's email address in the "To" field Step 4: Write a clear subject (e.g., "Assignment Submission") Step 5: Write your message in the body Step 6: Click "Send"

Using CC and BCC

• CC (Carbon Copy) – send a copy to additional recipients who can see all other addresses
• BCC (Blind Carbon Copy) – send copies to others without revealing their addresses to other recipients

Sending Attachments

Step 1: Compose your email Step 2: Click the paperclip icon (📎) Step 3: Select the file you want to attach (documents, images, etc.) Step 4: Click "Send"

Note: Most email providers limit attachment size to 25MB.

Email Folders

• Inbox – received messages
• Sent – messages you have sent
• Draft – messages you saved but not sent
• Spam – unwanted or suspicious messages
• Trash – deleted messages

By studying this topic, you should be able to:

• Explain what the World Wide Web is and how it works
• Use a web browser to navigate the Internet
• Search for information using search engines with effective keywords
• Create an email account
• Compose, send, and receive emails
• Use CC and BCC fields appropriately
• Send email attachments
• Identify and open email attachments

In Tanzania, students use these internet skills daily. For example, when checking NECTA examination results at www.necta.go.tz, a Form 2 student uses a web browser to navigate to the website, searches for their exam index number, and views their results online. Similarly, a student submitting an assignment to their teacher would compose an email, attach their completed work as a Word document or PDF, and send it to the teacher's official email address – a common practice in Tanzanian schools.