Using Search Engines Effectively

Learning Resource Type

Learning Activity

Subject Area

English Language Arts

Grade(s)

9, 10, 11, 12

Overview

When tasked with locating information, students usually turn to Google first. In this activity, students will learn strategies for effectively using the Google search engine for answering research questions. They will conduct a Google search in a small group using these search strategies and determine which strategies yield the most useful results.

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

The student will use a variety of search tools and strategies to locate credible, relevant, and useful information.

Activity Details

  1. Review the definition of search engine and types of results a search engine can yield. 
  2. Reiterate that Google is the most popular search engine. 
  3. Tell students that there are strategies and tools that can make a Google search more productive. 
  4. Share the slideshow, which names each strategy and briefly demonstrates its use with a short video. 
  5. Select a topic for the class to research.
  6. Separate students into groups and tell them they will all be researching the same topic. 
  7. Share the document that prompts students to use each strategy and indicate how it affected their results. 
  8. Allow students time to use search strategies and record results. 

Assessment Strategies

  • The teacher will monitor student group discussions to determine which search tools and strategies students used during the activity.
  • Students will submit the Searching With Google Tools and Strategies document for teacher evaluation. The teacher should review each student’s completed document to ensure students were able to effectively use search tools and strategies to locate credible, relevant, and useful information in regards to the assigned research question.

Acceleration

  • Accelerated students may explore their own topic instead of the teacher-selected topic. 
  • Students who finish early may search Google for “google search strategies” and report on limiters or strategies not already included in the activity.

Intervention

Students who need support may work in a teacher-led small group instead of working with a student partner.  

 

Background / Preparation

Teacher Preparation:

The teacher should decide on a class topic for students to research. This may be an authentic topic related to course content or a generic topic for demonstration purposes.  The teacher should consider how to group students for the activity and also decide if students will have a print or digital copy of the Searching With Google Tools and Strategies document. This activity works best after students have learned the PAARC test for evaluating digital content. 

Student Preparation:

Students should have knowledge of how to evaluate web sources for credibility using the PAARC test (purpose, accuracy, authority, relevance, currency) so that they can determine if the results of each search are useful. 

Learning Activity (Before)

What Is a Search Engine?

Total Duration

16 to 30 Minutes

Learning Activity (During)

Using Search Engines Effectively

Learning Activity (After)

Evaluating Google Search Strategies

Materials and Resources

Teacher:

Student:

Slideshow: Tools and Strategies for Using Google
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1j6nUnUj6kZsFq2Hdtl26ph-y6-m33fYrnS86ZY5…
Searching With Google Tools and Strategies
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KbjZd-tXK_pBnBCui4vGkuVYANKKvPr9Xc85mBLTcdA…

Approved Date

Owner (Author)

szana
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