At a glance Web Search Lesson Plan: Search Advantage
Understanding Advanced Search Operators
Table of Contents


Developed by:
Google Certified Teachers
Cheryl Davis
Kathleen Ferenz
Lucy Gray

Next Lesson in Module C:

The Search Summit

Learn about: 
  • Language tools
  • Very advanced operators
  • Other Google tools and features

 


Overview

Sometimes there is a need to dig deeper in a search. In this lesson, students will learn about some advanced search techniques and when it is appropriate to use these tricks. This lesson will build upon search techniques in the Quick Finds lesson

Objectives

Inquiry questions: How can I further refine my searches in order to find more relevant material? How can I find results that might not be easily found with just search features? What are the syntaxes associated with advanced search techniques?
  • In this module, students will learn more about Google's advanced search, including to how to use the following features: Fill in the blank, Term exclusion "-", Related search, and Numeric Range. 
  • Students will be able to conduct advanced searches and determine when each type of strategy should be applied.

Materials

  • Computer with display for classroom (or 1:1 computing)
  • Google Presentation: "Advanced Advantage"
  • Art supplies for activity described in #3 of the instructions 

Instructions

1. The teacher will start out with a brief review of the search features found on Google's Explore Search site. 

2. Next, the teacher will mention that the class will learn some new methods for further refining searches, and these techniques require a bit more strategic thinking on the part of the searcher. The teacher will use the companion presentation to this lesson to discuss and demonstrate techniques. If the class has access to laptops or is taking place in a computer lab, consider having students try out the examples as you talk them through the advanced search operators.

[Slide 1]  Give a brief introduction to advanced operators. Tell students that you are going to cover four techniques: Term Exclusion, Term Inclusion, Numeric Range, and Related Search.

[Slides 2 - 9] Demonstrate Term Exclusion searches. Ask students to follow along on computers if possible. 
Show students how the search results can differ when terms are excluded using the minus symbol. Experiment with other search terms by asking students to offer other examples.

[Slides 10 - 13] Demonstrate Numeric Range searches. Encourage students to offer any other possible numeric ranges.

[Slides 14 - 17] Demonstrate Related searches. Have students offer examples of other web sites related to your curriculum and try additional related searches.

[Slides 18] Review the four advanced operator strategies to recap the lesson.

3. Following this lecture, students will break into groups of four. Each person is assigned a feature: fill in the blank, term inclusion, related search or numeric range.  Each team member is responsible for learning about a feature and will teach it to the rest of the group. 

The group will then take their collective knowledge and will create a product that will help their classmates utilize these search features. Teacher discretion should be used with this activity; make it simple or as complex as time allows. Depending on classroom resources and time constraints, this could include the creation of a handout, poster, or comic demonstrating search techniques. This final product could also be a commercial, podcast or annotated photograph that will help others learn about advanced search features. 

These final products should be displayed in a classroom or posted online so that the entire class can benefit from the group's collective knowledge around search. Hopefully, these teaching tools will be referred to when the class does any kind of future work around research. 

Related Links

Google Search Basics 
Explore Search Site

Evaluation

Discussion and self-critique

Standards

3. Research and Information Fluency
Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information.
Students: a. plan strategies to guide inquiry. b. locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media. c. evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the appropriateness to specific tasks. 6. Technology Operations and Concepts - Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations. Students: a. understand and use technology systems.

1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments.
Teachers: b. engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources.Model Digital-Age Work and Learning