Digital Literacy 101: Effective Search Strategies Part 2
At a fundamental level, effective searching requires using (1) the right words and (2) the right tools. The first lesson on this topic examined how keywords and snippets can lead to better search results. This week, we explored some of Google’s advanced search features and several “Google alternatives”:
Google Advanced Search
Despite being the world’s most popular search engine, many students (and teachers) are completely unaware of Google’s advanced search options. Simple modifiers such as using quotes for an exact phrase or excluding results via the minus sign can narrow one’s focus considerably. More sophisticated options such as searching within a particular site/domain, numerical range, and file type can filter millions of results down to a handful.
Google’s Librarian Central has a simple Tips and Tricks sheet that features a number of the more common search options, and the Princeton University Library created a very thorough reference guide to all of Google’s search features. If you have never used Google Advanced Search, it’s definitely worth your time to learn how to leverage its full capabilities.
Going Beyond Google
For all its power and features, Google is not always the best search option. Matching the tool to the task is an important skills, and resouces like NoodleTools can help students choose the engine/directory that best meets their information needs. Ask.com provides terms that can expand/narrow a search, Quintura presents results as tag-clouds and snippets, and SearchMe returns page previews that can be saved and shared as stacks such at the one shown below:
As I mentioned in a previous post, search engines abound and our students should be familiar with options beyond Google. This short list (courtesy of Alec Couros ) is a good starting point for exploring the different methods for searching the web:
- Yahoo!
- Ask
- MSN Search
- Dogpile
- Google Scholar
- Skreemr (audio search)
- Creative Commons Search (open access materials)
- ChaCha (human powered search)
- SearchMe (visual search)
- Mahalo
- Blinx (video search)
- Tafiti
- Answers
- Clusty
- Polycola
- Kidsclick
- Kartoo (visual)
- Vivisimo (visual)
- Addict-o-matic
- Tag Galaxy
Start Searching
Web searching, like web evaluation, is not a skill mastered in the course of a few simple lessons. It takes practice and patience to identify effective keywords, choose the appropriate tool, and utilize advanced search features. The next time you need to locate something online, be intentional with your query and see how effectively you can search; Kermit’s commencement address is easier to find than you might think!
