Smart Searching &Terrific Tools

Mandy Taylor, AIG TeacherLaura Bowers, Media CoordinatorWestwood Elementary School

Google Search TipsDid you know . . . •Google can look up dictionary definitions,

calculate metric conversions, and even answer a math problem.

•Google can also look up local weather and movies and many other things.

•How??•http://www.google.com/help/features.html

Google Definitions•If you begin a query with define: Google will display definitions for the word or phrase that follows, if definitions are available.

•You don’t need quotes around your phrases.

Example:define: collaboration

Google Weather•Using weather presents the three to four day weather forecast for a particular US city.

•You don’t need a colon in weather.

Google Movies•Using movie:

presents either movie show times in a particular city or information [like reviews] about a particular.

•There can be a space between movie: and the keywords.

Google Calculator•Simply key in what you'd like Google to

compute (like 2+2) and then hit enter.•Google’s Calculator can solve math

problems involving basic arithmetic, more complicated math, units of measure and conversions, and physical constants.

Google Calculator3+4456*78

1.21 GW / 88 mph100 miles in kilometers

sine(30 degrees) G*(6e24 kg)/(4000 miles)^2 0x7d3 in roman numerals

For instructions on how to use the Google Calculator, see http://www.google.com/help/calculator.html

“I’m feeling lucky”•The "I'm Feeling LuckyTM" button

automatically takes you to the first web page returned for your query.

•An "I'm Feeling Lucky" search means less time searching for web pages and more time looking at them.

•Examples: Ashe County High School, 21st Century Skills, Ice Age 3

Google Image Search•Similar Images

•Creative Commons

•Wiki: http://terrifictools.pbworks.com/

•Delicious

Google Earth•Google Earth

•Google Ocean

•Google Lit Trips

•Discovery Atlas

Google Documents•Sharing Documents

•Using Forms (for quiz)

Google Chat•Like Skype and other instant messengers

•Can type or talk to others in gmail•Must download additional program to video chat

Need Help??•http://www.google.com/support•Google Help Central•Free guides and FAQs that tell you about Web searching in general and Google’s features in specific.

Official Google Blog

•googleblog.blogspot.com•Where Google managers, engineers, and team members make official announcements

•Updated every day or so

Unofficial Google Blog•blogoscoped.com•A great resource for unofficial Google updates, reviews, and product speculation

•Updated several times a day

AND if we have time . . .

Questions?Comments?

Email:lwbowers@gmail.comlostasaf@gmail.com

Thanks to Patrick Crispen for (unknowingly) helping us with this presentation!Check out his website at www.netsquirrel.com for more information and help!