Narrowing Your Search Using Advanced Search Tools

Learning Resource Type

Learning Activity

Subject Area

English Language Arts

Grade(s)

9, 10, 11, 12

Overview

The teacher will lead students through a class search using advanced search tools in the Gale GeneralOneFile database on Alabama Virtual Library. Students will apply knowledge of advanced search tools such as term, field, Boolean operators, wildcards, and search limiters. Students will contribute to the class search and note how the search results change when additional search tools are employed and various research strategies are used. 

Phase

During/Explore/Explain
English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 9

ELA21.9.22

Use a variety of search tools and research strategies.

UP:ELA21.9.22

Vocabulary

  • Search tools
  • Research strategies

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Methods to use search tools, such as library databases and search engines.
  • Research strategies, such as keyword search and boolean search.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Use various search tools and research strategies.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • There are multiple strategies and tools to use when researching a topic.
English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 10

ELA21.10.22

Use a variety of search tools and research strategies to locate credible sources.

UP:ELA21.10.22

Vocabulary

  • Search tools
  • Research strategies
  • Credible sources

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Methods to use search tools, such as library databases and search engines.
  • Research strategies, such as keyword search and boolean search.
  • Strategies to locate credible information that is accurate and reliable.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Use various search tools and research strategies to find credible information.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • There are multiple strategies and tools to use when researching a topic.
English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 11

ELA21.11.25

Use a variety of search tools and research strategies to locate credible sources.

UP:ELA21.11.25

Vocabulary

  • Search tools
  • Research strategies
  • Credible sources

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Methods to use search tools, such as library databases and search engines.
  • Research strategies, such as keyword search and boolean search.
  • Strategies to locate credible information that is accurate and reliable.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Use various search tools and research strategies to find credible information.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • There are multiple strategies and tools to use when researching a topic.
English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 12

ELA21.12.25

Use a variety of search tools and research strategies to locate and acquire credible, relevant, and useful information.

UP:ELA21.12.25

Vocabulary

  • Search tools
  • Research strategies
  • Credible sources
  • Relevant sources

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Methods to use search tools, such as library databases and search engines.
  • Research strategies, such as keyword search and boolean search.
  • Strategies to locate credible, relevant, useful information that is accurate and reliable.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Use various search tools and research strategies to find credible, relevant, and useful information.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • There are multiple strategies and tools to use when researching a topic.

Learning Objectives

Students will use a variety of search tools and research strategies to locate information in a database.

Activity Details

  1. Pull up the advanced search screen for your chosen database. The videos in the Before Activity use Gale in Context: Opposing Viewpoints as an example, but for this activity, you may wish to use Gale General OneFile.
  2. Review the advanced search features with students. Point out the terms, fields, Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT), and the search limiters (date, full-text, etc.)
  3. Tell the students that you will demonstrate an advanced search with input from the class. Together, you will practice using advanced search tools and various research strategies to narrow down information about organic foods or another research topic of the teacher’s choosing. 
  4. Discuss with the class what they want to know about organic foods. They may be interested in the best-tasting organic foods, health benefits, environmental costs or benefits, high prices of organic foods, etc.  Craft 1-2 research questions and decide on the focus of your research demonstration. Keep in mind that the Model Search Video for Teachers and the Class Advanced Search handout focus on the benefits of organic foods. 
  5. Using an interactive whiteboard or projector and screen, lead students through a class search using the steps on the Class Advanced Search Document. The teacher may use the  Model Search Video for Teachers as a model for their search. Point out how one can use the search tools to adjust the research strategy to get different results.
  6. Students may fill in the answers to the questions on the document electronically or may write answers if they have been provided a print copy of the document. 
  7. Several questions ask for an article title or permalink.  Share with students that they should not copy and paste the URL.  They should click “Get Link” on the upper right corner of the page.

Assessment Strategies

  • The teacher may observe students’ participation in the class search and their interaction with the Class Advanced Search document.   The teacher may also evaluate the students’ answers to the questions on the document. 
  • When evaluating students’ participation and the completed Class Advanced Search Document, the teacher should ensure that each student was able to effectively use the advanced search tools and research strategies to locate information within the selected database.

Acceleration

  • Students may conduct their own search without teacher assistance. 
  • Students may partner with students who need extra assistance navigating the search.

Intervention

  • Students may partner with others to help navigate the search.
  • The teacher may reteach how to use the advanced search features in a small group. 

 

Background / Preparation

Teacher Preparation: 

The teacher should be comfortable with database searches and know and know the meaning of term, field, Boolean, keyword, subject, limiter, and wildcard. To gain confidence in leading students through an advanced search, the teacher may choose to consult the school librarian or watch the Model Search Video for Teachers. This video provides an example of steps the teacher might take when working through an advanced search with the students. 

The teacher will need to determine which AVL database to use for this activity. The videos in the Before Activity use Gale in Context: Opposing Viewpoints as an example, but for this activity, you may wish to use Gale General OneFile.

The teacher will need to decide how best to facilitate the search with the students. Ideally, the teacher would conduct the search using an interactive whiteboard and projector/ screen; the students would follow the same steps on their personal devices so that they can better view particular articles or features.  

The students will need a digital or print copy of the class search handout. Print may work best if students are using their device to mimic the teacher’s search steps. 

Student Preparation:  Students should have participated in the Before Activity Identifying Database Advanced Search Tools and know the meaning of term, field, Boolean, keyword, subject, limiter, and wildcard. They should have a digital device with access to Alabama Virtual Library so that they may mimic the search steps demonstrated by the teacher.

Learning Activity (Before)

Identifying Database Advanced Search Tools

Total Duration

31 to 45 Minutes

Learning Activity (During)

Narrowing Your Search Using Advanced Search Tools

Learning Activity (After)

Researching Independently Using Advanced Search Tools

Materials and Resources

Teacher Materials:

Student Materials:

Alabama Virtual Library
https://www.avl.lib.al.us/
Class Advanced Search Document
https://docs.google.com/document/d/17Bxbdfl-9M5xGxmrQFnFZnqQX8gqEWfKq6bgGTVyDS8…
TEACHER KEY Class Advanced Search Document
https://docs.google.com/document/d/10NH3_rgMZXByvuL6jm3uDfQkTHjQqZ0xtjy4CIx3QNs…
Model Search Video for Teachers
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V9cqm0JWD-IyR39kSPQNEUz7EZ_g-0vZ/view?usp=driv…

Approved Date

Owner (Author)

szana
ALSDE LOGO

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