Super Search Strategies
While the information offered by Google search is seemingly endless, so too can be the frustrations. Whether it is the inability to select the right key word or a difficulty in finding a quality source, Google’s simple interface belies a complicated and problematic system. But, with a few key tweaks in approach and strategy, teachers and students can work towards faster and more efficient searching. In this session we will explore a wide variety of specialized search engines that go beyond Google and allow for more appropriate and dynamic searches. Then we will discuss search techniques to help both students and teachers find what they are looking for in a quicker and more reliable manner. Finally, we will examine different lesson plans or activities to encourage and increase good search habits. This sessions provides ideas and examples for teachers of all grades and concentrations.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 2
Presented By: Phil Lindert and Mary Mulqueen
Topic: Search Tips for Teachers and Students
Grade Level: All
Skill Level: Beginner
Skill Prerequisites: None
Device Prerequisites: Device with internet access
Resources:
Google Docs for this session
1) Kidzearch
This site is all about keeping students safe online. When you search using this engine, results are guaranteed to be Google Safe Search Strict Filtered. It’s like always having Google safe search ON as it cuts out all the distracting/unsuitable content you don’t want your students to be exposed to. It is powered by Google.
2) Boolify
Boolify gives you the ability to visualise the logic behind your search; understanding how the logic works will improve your ability to conduct effective searches.
Boolify uses very logical processes which are illustrated using jigsaw pieces that are dragged and dropped onto the workspace
3) SweetSearch (not shown at conference)
Users wading through tens of millions of Web sites need a librarian - someone to recommend the best resources on the Internet to give them quality information and to save them time. Sweetsearch is that librarian and the library name is findingDulcinea. It is like a Google Custom Search within 35,000 curated, educational websites.
Advanced Search Engines
1) www.instagrok.com - A visual, mind-mapping searching engine. Allows for note-taking and sharing the search results.
2) www.wolframalpha.com - A computational, data-driven search engine. Great for math, comparisons, as well as hundreds of other unique ways to approach data.
3) www.Refseek.com (Not Shown) - An academic search engine that filters out most “.com” websites. It also allows for “document” searches.
Search Shortcuts for Elementary
Define
Say it, Noun or Verb, definition. Eg: enter define density, results will provide the pronunciation, the word type (noun, verb, adj., etc.) and the definition.
Calculate
Calculate using +, -, * or /. Eg: enter 34+25. An interactive calculator appears with the result and follow on calculations can take place using the calculator.
Reading level When your students have done the research but because their reading levels are still at emerging, they cannot understand the content. Change the reading level: In Google, click on Search Tool, go to All Results, select Reading Level - change it to Basic. Results will then be at a level that Elementary school children can understand.
Advanced Search Shortcuts
1) Exclude a word by using -. This eliminates results
2) Modify the Domain by using advanced search, you can modify the website domain to search only for “.gov” or “.org” websites. Also helpful when trying to search for information from another country.
3) Modify the Filetype by using advanced search, you can search for specific files, such as PDFs, Word Docs, or Powerpoint. You just need to type in the file extension.
You can also do this right in the search bar by typing “site:.gov”. Just replace “.gov” with whatever domain suffix you are looking for.
Search Lessons:
1) Search Slam - A bell ringer activity where the teacher writes a search query related to the day’s activities on the board for students to search and answer in two minutes. Advanced students can then have more complicated parameters (varying the website domain, the filetype, or date of publication.
2) Take Home Search - Students are assigned to find an answer to a question or to find a specific type of webpage - they can then either email their results to the teacher or bring them in for the next day.
3) Search Races - Divide students into teams and then have students face off in search races. The questions should be designed to require multiple search levels. Works great as a pre-teaching tool as it reinforces search strategies as well as orients students into the basics of the topic being addressed.
Topic: Search Tips for Teachers and Students
Grade Level: All
Skill Level: Beginner
Skill Prerequisites: None
Device Prerequisites: Device with internet access
Resources:
Google Docs for this session
1) Kidzearch
This site is all about keeping students safe online. When you search using this engine, results are guaranteed to be Google Safe Search Strict Filtered. It’s like always having Google safe search ON as it cuts out all the distracting/unsuitable content you don’t want your students to be exposed to. It is powered by Google.
2) Boolify
Boolify gives you the ability to visualise the logic behind your search; understanding how the logic works will improve your ability to conduct effective searches.
Boolify uses very logical processes which are illustrated using jigsaw pieces that are dragged and dropped onto the workspace
3) SweetSearch (not shown at conference)
Users wading through tens of millions of Web sites need a librarian - someone to recommend the best resources on the Internet to give them quality information and to save them time. Sweetsearch is that librarian and the library name is findingDulcinea. It is like a Google Custom Search within 35,000 curated, educational websites.
Advanced Search Engines
1) www.instagrok.com - A visual, mind-mapping searching engine. Allows for note-taking and sharing the search results.
2) www.wolframalpha.com - A computational, data-driven search engine. Great for math, comparisons, as well as hundreds of other unique ways to approach data.
3) www.Refseek.com (Not Shown) - An academic search engine that filters out most “.com” websites. It also allows for “document” searches.
Search Shortcuts for Elementary
Define
Say it, Noun or Verb, definition. Eg: enter define density, results will provide the pronunciation, the word type (noun, verb, adj., etc.) and the definition.
Calculate
Calculate using +, -, * or /. Eg: enter 34+25. An interactive calculator appears with the result and follow on calculations can take place using the calculator.
Reading level When your students have done the research but because their reading levels are still at emerging, they cannot understand the content. Change the reading level: In Google, click on Search Tool, go to All Results, select Reading Level - change it to Basic. Results will then be at a level that Elementary school children can understand.
Advanced Search Shortcuts
1) Exclude a word by using -. This eliminates results
2) Modify the Domain by using advanced search, you can modify the website domain to search only for “.gov” or “.org” websites. Also helpful when trying to search for information from another country.
3) Modify the Filetype by using advanced search, you can search for specific files, such as PDFs, Word Docs, or Powerpoint. You just need to type in the file extension.
You can also do this right in the search bar by typing “site:.gov”. Just replace “.gov” with whatever domain suffix you are looking for.
Search Lessons:
1) Search Slam - A bell ringer activity where the teacher writes a search query related to the day’s activities on the board for students to search and answer in two minutes. Advanced students can then have more complicated parameters (varying the website domain, the filetype, or date of publication.
2) Take Home Search - Students are assigned to find an answer to a question or to find a specific type of webpage - they can then either email their results to the teacher or bring them in for the next day.
3) Search Races - Divide students into teams and then have students face off in search races. The questions should be designed to require multiple search levels. Works great as a pre-teaching tool as it reinforces search strategies as well as orients students into the basics of the topic being addressed.