What Is a Search Engine?

Learning Resource Type

Learning Activity

Subject Area

English Language Arts

Grade(s)

9, 10, 11, 12

Overview

In this introductory activity, students will learn the characteristics of search engines, identify popular search engines, and learn when to use search engines.  They will talk to classmates about their own recent internet searches and the types of results they received. This task activates prior knowledge of search engines as students prepare to use search engines for academic research.

Phase

Before/Engage
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 describe the purpose of a search engine. 
  • Students will distinguish a search engine from an academic database.

Activity Details

  1. The teacher will present and facilitate the discussion of the What Is a Search Engine? Slides presentation.
  2. The teacher will pause at slide #8 for students to turn and talk and answer the questions posed on the slide about search engine searches and results.  
  3. Students will record their pair’s answers on their paper. 
  4. After students have answered the questions in pairs, the teacher will facilitate class discussion based on slide #9, gathering class information on searches and results and making sure to help students distinguish between a search engine and a database. 

Assessment Strategies

  • The teacher will monitor student discussions and evaluate the students’ lists to ascertain whether students understand the purpose of a search engine.
  • The teacher will monitor the class discussion to ascertain whether students understand when to use a search engine as opposed to a database.

Acceleration

Accelerated students may be asked to share with  the class how search engines differ from databases.  Many may also know how search engines work (search engine optimization, etc.) and may be asked to provide more technical information for the class.

Intervention

Students may be provided with a copy of the presentation. Students may be placed in groups of 3 or 4 instead of a pair for the turn and talk.

Background / Preparation

Teacher Preparation: The teacher should review the presentation before using it with the class. The teacher should determine how students will choose a partner for “Turn and Talk” and be prepared to facilitate a short class discussion on search engine usage and distinguishing databases from search engines.

Student Preparation:  The students should have some experience with using databases in Alabama Virtual Library so that they can generally distinguish databases from search engines.

Learning Activity (Before)

What Is a Search Engine?

Total Duration

0 to 15 Minutes

Learning Activity (During)

Using Search Engines Effectively

Learning Activity (After)

Evaluating Google Search Strategies

Materials and Resources

Teacher Materials:

Student Materials: 

  • Paper and pencil
Slides Presentation: What Is a Search Engine?
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1iUtoHczRg6o48xF4Dr2Uf2CFX8svwaX4Mltp6Fr…

Approved Date

Owner (Author)

szana
ALSDE LOGO

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