Search Tricks Through Google...Who Knew?
I know I have posted on some search tips before, but I wanted to share a couple more with you: the quote and filetypes feature. When you place quotes around your search terms, it will only pull those specific search terms. No need for that other junk...unless you're Oscar. Then you'd probably love all the extra garbage.
Searching for specific filetypes can save years off your life. I wish I would have known this feature when doing all of my research papers while getting my masters. This would have given back many-an-hour to family time. Maybe learning of this, can save you some time as well. Take a look at the presentation below and learn how you can incorporate these search tips into your daily life as well.
Alert! Alert!
Ok, this is a totally cool tool that I had no idea existed. I promise, you are going to love this one. Have I ever lead you astray? Ok... don't answer that...I know we went down some theoretical black holes last week.
(Everyone needs a little grumpy cat in their lives.)
No theories here...this is concrete. Google will create alerts for you of "happenings" on the web. I came up with a list of things that I would like to be notified on. These things are what I would like to learn more about and to improve upon as a teacher.
- coding in the music classroom (our school is getting big on this)
- cooperative learning in the music classroom (such an amazing way for students to be held accountable for their learning)
- makerspace in the music classroom (kids thrive on exploring)
- scratch in the music classroom (this is a neat software that I just came across and would like to learn more about)
So, I put these 4 items into my google alerts, and voila! I should be getting notifications of when new items are posted with these terms soon. Here is a screenshot of the alerts that I used. Get started at https://www.google.com/alerts to create your own alerts and make sure to watch this video for more detailed info.
Custom Search Engine
Are you ready for another gem?
No, no, no...gem with a 'G!'
What was that?
Was I a product of the 80s? Gaw! How did you know??
And, yes, we all miss the pink, sparkly hair.
Back to the topic at hand. Google has made it possible for you to customize the search engine. Don't want your students to have to sort through all of the crud online? Want them to search factual information, and not muddle it all up with useless and/or incorrect information? Define the sites and search terms that can appear in their searches for their research.
My 5th grade students do a guided inquiry project on music genres. Their research days in the library are always the most challenging. They struggle on finding sites that are suitable and informational for what they need. So, I created a CSE with some good websites that they can use. I did some sample searches, and wowzers! It was amazing. I am undeniably going to use this when we do our research next year. This is going to save them so much time. Here is my CSE on music genres. Go ahead and try it out. Search for 'jazz instruments' or 'kabuki theater' or 'rock history.' You should get some great information.
Music Genre Research Search Engine
Gmail
Are you a Gmail user? I have found some useful gmail tips that could be some more life-changers for you. Are you a To Do list maker? I am. If I don't write it down- right then and there- it is lost forever in the abyss of my mind. It could be until the next lunar eclipse until it surfaces again. There are a lot of unknown gems of Gmail that you all need to know about. Check these out to get you started!
No comments:
Post a Comment