The Google Game

Nothing philosophical today. Just wanted to share a couple of things I found that have really made a difference in the research portion of our Senior Project journey. I have been working with my students to promote information literacy and website evaluation. They used to give me the “yeah, yeah, we know all about the Internet” attitude, and then continue to use the same tired, outdated sites that they found on Google. Not anymore. (In NC, we are lucky to have free access to lots of periodicals through NCWiseowl, but if the kids are going to do a general Internet search, these sites have been really helpful).

My lessons usually start with The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly which is a Web-based lesson on website evaluation. It’s pretty good at making kids really explore all the parts of a website and evaluate its contents, even down to the advertisements on a page. Sometimes I play the Google Game with the kids. I learned about this in School Library Journal, and it really works. This game is designed to make kids think more critically about their search terms when they choose Google. After all, a google is a number followed by one hundred zeroes. I ask kids if they are willing to look through that number of sites to find a good source. Most agree that they don’t have time to look through fifty websites, much less a google. The article explains how to play. Note: candy is a great motivator.

I have also found that some of the kids like to use a concept web search engine such as Mooter or Kartoo. These sites are nice if the kids haven’t narrowed down their topics or need subtopics for their papers and outlines. Great for visual learners. My special needs kids have really enjoyed the 24 hour public librarian that is available in most states. This service provides a live chat with a librarian any time of day. The librarian will generally do a Google search and then post the best site he/she finds, but my kids have found the individual attention and the immediate response helpful. Do a Google search for “24/7 reference” to find a service. Kids have to have an email address and a zip code. A transcript of the chat is sent to their email for further reference or verification. Some of my teachers are using the 24/7 service as an assignment and the kids turn in their transcripts for a grade.