Getting More Out Of Google
Monday October 13th, 2008From Library Instruction Wiki
Before taking this class, the student should have taken Internet Basics and/or be proficient in using the basic tool bar and entering addresses in the address bar. The student should also be able to do simple searches in Google and wish to learn more refined searching. It is recommended that the student repeat Internet Basics until s/he is comfortable with the computer and can perform basic tasks without coaching.
In spite of these prerequisites, it is likely that the teacher will face a classroom with several different skill levels. Thus each class can be modified as the hour progresses.
Always start with the basics:
1. Google is a search engine
2. It takes the words you choose, and tries to come up with good web sites to match.
3. Sample search for "Computers" and show "Sponsored Links"
4. Multiple search terms, and quotes in various places:
grandmas famous cornbread
"grandmas famous cornbread"
grandma's "famous cornbread"
grandma's "famous corn bread"
grandma's famous "corn bread"
5. Multiple search terms, with spelling differences:
Charles Cooper
Chuck Cooper
Chas Cooper
C Cooper
6.
LESSON PLANS AND CHEAT SHEETS FROM GOOGLE ITSELF!
1. Log on to Google. 2. Click on Advanced Search. 3. Click on Advanced Search Tips (top right). 4. About half way down the page you will links to: Complete list of advanced operators and Print and save Google cheat sheet. You can use both of these to help you with an outline of your class. They also work as handouts. You can highlight what you are actually teaching in the class and suggest the students experiment with the other operators in their spare time.
There is way too much information here for one class of course. The more advanced techniques can be set aside for those students who are fairly advanced. The following basics should be covered for those needing the basics:
1. What is keyword searching? Example: "grandma's cornbread recipe" vs. grandma's cornbread recipe. Note number of hits for each search. Show how quotation marks causes Google to search for a phrase, not keyword.
2. The OR operator (need examples)
3. The + and - operators (need examples)
4. Google images (vacation pictures work well here)
5. Froogle (have class check the price of a retail item)
6. Maps (everyone likes to look up their own address)
7. Consider Blogger if there is time and the class is not catatonic.
8. If everyone is sharp and there is plenty of energy and enthusiasm, go into Google Advanced.
Some other things to try:
Search Google Videos for "Accordion Lesson" Talk about finding instructional videos online.
Google Patent Search, compared with USPTO site.
ONE SAMPLE CURRICULUM FOR "GETTING MORE OUT OF GOOGLE"
1. How search engines work
2. Selecting search terms
a. Key words (examples) lawns without grass / no grass lawn
Less is more (sometimes)
b. “quotation marks”
c. Synonyms (example) train
d. Slant (example) Iran
3. Looking through search results
a. Reading a URL what does the ~ mean?
b. Evaluating results
How search engines work / comment on “invisible web”
4. Google special searches (options) http://www.google.com/options/
a. Images (example) poison dart frog
Practice - images
b. News
c. Maps
Practice - maps and news
More . . .
5. Advanced Search
a. Searching by domain. (examples) .edu .gov
b. Preferences
Search example – history of the straightjacket
6. Special features: http://www.google.com/help/features.html
Define
Calculator
Currency Converter
Phone book (enter any phone book entry)
Local search (what you’re looking for, and place. Could be zip)
Site search (syntax site:sampledomain.com eg. admission site:www.stanford.edu)
File types:
:.wav
:.mp3
The Official Google Blog
