Google+Custom+Search



__Resources for Creating a Google Custom Search__
Google Custom Search Searching in Google Cheat Sheet for Searching Google Creating a new Custom Search Engine

yoututbe video tutorial - Creating a Custom Google Search

__Why use a Google Custom Search?__
Scenario: Students are asked to complete a research activity. The first thought is to use Google-we all use it; it's everywhere, why not? It takes a huge amount of time to correctly use an online search engine of any kind. To begin with, students have to be able determine their keyword to use for searching. Secondly, once they search, they have to be able to determine which sites from their hit list to use-from hundreds to thousands to millions of hits. where is the "treasure" in all of that "trash"? Third, students have to be able to critically evaluate the information found their a hit - is it accurate, reliable, biased, current, does the author have authority (ex-try a search for the North American tree octopus....according to online resources, it exists but is in danger!)

Using a Google Custom Search narrows down online searching for students to help them manage their online research tasks....

__How do I set up a Google Custom Search?__
Anyone can set up a Google Custom Search. All you need is a free Google account. You can set the search to search the entire web or limit the search to pre-selected websites. This is how the teacher controls the kind of information students receive from their search experience (the teacher also already determine sites that have accurate, reliable and current information). Once a custom search is created, the teacher gives the students a link to the search tool, or embeds it on a blog/wiki/webpage.

__How does Google Custom Search fit into the Big 6 and Marzano's Instructional Strategies?__
Goolge Custom Searching fits into the Big 6 step of Location and Access. It scaffolds resources for students to use to find information-searching 10 hits from a custom search is much more manageable than finding information from 10,000 sites!

Online searching also fits into Marzano's instructional strategies for summarzing and note-taking and coopeartive learning (webquests).[]