How to Use Online Tools: Game and Advanced Search Tips

Search Engines' Game Rules

Background information for effective searching.

• Limit search to 10 terms.

• Goal is to get as few hits as possible to retrieve exactly what you were searching for.
  

Advanced Search Tips  (These will help you WIN!)

• Use quotation marks
• Looks for words in exact order that you enter them "French Restoration" / "Bob Marley" / "human rights" / "affirmative action"
• Use minus sign to exclude word from search  eg. vikings -Minnesota
• Limit search to certain groups on the web: best are colleges or organizations (not commercial companies: .com) eg. lacrosse site:edu
• Don't use questions. Don't use irrelevant words
• Use of keywords is crucial; helps NARROW the search.

1. eg. "great depression" = 5.1 million hits
2. "the great depression" site:org okies occupations = 89 hits

Search Engine Game Time*    

Working in pairs, do the following:

1. Your Library Media Specialist or Teacher will announce the time allotted for searching.
   
2. Record keywords/techniques used (goal - less than 10).
3. Answer question correctly.
4. The team with fewest number of hits PLUS correct answer WINS

*Idea for this game came from an article in School Library Journal, 01/06, and was adapted by Jen Blair, Mt. View Middle School, Beaverton.