Awesome Google Search Tips

Welcome back!  This week has truly been an adventure.  I have learned many new tips and tricks in regards to Google search.  I never knew that Google could do all of this and I can't wait to use this new information in my classroom.

Google search is not just a search engine!  It can do so much more.  Did you know that you can use the search box as a calculator?  This is not exactly something that I want to show my kiddos at school.  However, to all of the adults out there you can type in your equation and press search.  The formula is solved and an answer provided.  The search box can also act as a conversion tool.  For example, type in "How many feet are in a mile?"  The answer will be given.  This is so cool.  When my sons were little (they are farm boys) they used to take off with my measuring spoons.  They were using them to dig holes and such.  Therefore, whenever I was cooking I could never find the correct measuring utensil needed.  It would have been handy to be able to find out how many teaspoons were in a tablespoon.  Here is a video that show just how cool this feature is:

Google search also has a hidden dictionary!  It is really easy to use the dictionary feature.  All we have to do is type define: and the word into the search box.  Then click on search.  A whole list of definitions should be listed including the sites where they were found.  For example, say we want to find the definition for devastation.  We would type "define:devastation"  into the search box and click on search.  Here is a screen shot that shows what will happen.

This takes that old mantra "Look It Up!" to an all new level!

Another great feature involving Google search is that searches can be made by specific filetypes.  This feature allows you to search for information involving certain types of files.  It is a great way of sorting through and narrowing down search information.  As a classroom teacher this is very handy.  This allows me to be able to enter in my concept or topic and find resources to use in the classroom.  For example, I want to find some PowerPoint presentations on the Revolutionary War.  I would enter the topic "Revolutionary War filetype:ppt" into the search box and only PowerPoint presentations on this subject will  show up.  A searcher could also use this if wanting only educational or government sites.  They would type the filetype of edu or gov after the term and filetype.  Here is a tutorial video.

My favorite search tip is one of the most useful for teachers.  This tip shows you how to use advanced search to search based on reading level.  Researching is always a challenge in the elementary classroom.  Students enter a topic and the information comes flowing in, but what information should they pick.  Much of the information is written at a reading level much higher than the student can understand.  I showed this feature to my 5th grade students and they were amazed.  This feature allows them to understand the information they are researching easier.  Here is another great tutorial.

These tips create a very useful and powerful tool, and they have so many uses in the classroom.  That concludes the next leg of my adventures with technology.  In my next blog I will share how to create a custom search engine!