Post on 17-May-2015
Searching Google and Beyond: Tips, Strategies and
Resources
Pam BergerCollege of Information Studies, Syracuse UniversityLibrary/Educational Technology ConsultantInformation SearcherPublisher & Editorpberger@infosearcher.com
Internet searchers are confident, satisfied and trusting – but they are also unaware and naïve.
PEW INTERNET & AMERICAN LIFE PROJECTJanuary 2005
Search Engine Users
Research… 84% of internet users have used search engines.
On any given day, 56% of those online use search engines.
92% of those who use search engines say they are confident about their searching abilities, with over half of them, 52%, saying they’re “very confident”.
87% of searchers say they have successful search experiences most of the time, including some 17% of users who say they always find the information for which they are looking.
68% of users say that search engines are a fair and unbiased source of information; 19% say they don’t place that trust in search engines.
Do you trust search engines? 65% of those with 6 or more years of online
experience say search engines are a fair and unbiased source of information; 73% of others who have been online 5 years or less say so.
64% of those who use engines at least daily say search engines are a fair and unbiased source of information; 71% of those who use search engines less often agree.
38% of searchers are aware of a distinction between paid and unpaid results; 62% are not.
The youngest users, those 18 – 29 years old, who have practically grown up with the internet, are more likely to be searchers.
•search more often•are more confident about their search abilities•rely more on search engines•are more trusting and tolerant of them
Search Engine Users
Instructional Approach Strategy, not a tactical approach Get personal with Google Expand their horizons – use more
than one search engine Understand the differences
Google and Beyond…
What are the unique features of both Google and specialized search engines that support student learning?
What are good tips to teach students for more effective searching?
What are the best resources to teach about search engines and stay current?
Handouts
My blog –http://www.infosearcher.comscroll down left side column; under workshops
Google’s special features Search on synonyms Find definitions Find links and resource websites Google News Google Alert
Find synonyms
Using the query [~inexpensive travel] will give results for cheap, low cost, affordable, or inexpensive travel.
Definitions from the Google Glossary
For a quick definition enter “define” or “what are” along with your term [what are blogs] or [define blog]
Google returns a list of results, with a definition spelled out right at the top of the list, with the web site the definition was taken from
More definitions
If you use the syntax define: such as [define:global warming] Google returns a list of definitions from various web sources
Find links and resource websites
intitle:global intitle:warming (intitle:links l intitle:resources)
Locate websites that contain additional links and resources on specific topics
Google News
When Google finds current news relating to your query, it includes up to three headlines that link to news stories.
The news links, which are placed on the top of the page of hits, include the news item’s published time in relationship to your search (ex. released 53 minutes ago).
Google Alert
Offers email updates of the latest Google results
Google Alerts
Do backwards linking
Find Command
Keeping up to date with Google
http://www.researchbuzz.org/wp
Librarian’s Newsletter
Trends in Search Engines Visual/Graphic Interface
Kartoo Mooter Music Plasma
Clustering Clusty Grokker
Go Global Newseum
Visual/Graphic Interface
Kartoo Mooter
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http://www.kartoo.com
http://www.mooter.com
Clustering
Clusty Grokker
http://www.vivisimo.com
Grokker
http://www.grokker.com
Go Global Newseum
http://www.newseum.org
Search Engines & Subject Directories
Search Engines
Complies sites through computer robots and spiders – commonly called “crawlers”
Better for specific information and pages buried deep in a Web site
Use unique keywords or a combination Allows field searching and limiting More up-to-date and larger than directories
Subject DirectoriesSubject Directories Compile sites through human intervention Better for broad topics Uses directory and sub-directory menus Helpful to see broader content of subjects Good for finding information on general topics,
current events and commercial products
Virtual Libraries Same searching characteristics as a subject directory Have value added – evaluated websites
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http://lii.org
74
http://www.ipl.org
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http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/bluewebn/
http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/KidsClick!/
http://www.factmonster.com
The best Web-based resources to support effective searching
Search Engine Watch
http://www.searchenginewatch.com
http://21cif.imsa.edu/
http://www.noodletools.com/debbie/literacies/information/5locate/adviceengine.html
http://www.infopeople.org/search/chart.html
Teaching Students to Search Integrated into the curriculum An inquiry process, not topic research Searchers preference: independence Best strategies: Collaborative groups,
interactive library Web sites, pathfinders, student reflective blogs
Post search engine strategies and updates on your school library blog!
Thank you!
http://www.infosearcher.com