A totally free index of Internet resources for the K-12 Community.
Fluency in search techniques are the 21st century equivalent of using a card catalog. Some nay-sayers protest substituting such skills for traditional skills but our job is to prepare students for the future and online research will be critical to academic and workplace information.
Be aware that every search works a little differently. Use the Help or Advanced Search links if they are available.
Here are some search tips to use when looking for information: If you are searching for a phrase, enclose it with quotes, e.g., "grass for football fields". Try more or fewer words. Start with the most important word first. If you're looking for what type of grass to put on your football field, grass football works better than football grass. Try a similar term, e.g., turf football. If there is an Advanced Search or Help option, try it. It will give you better control over the search or help identify what… learn more
You can use search operators and other punctuation to get more specific search results. A fast way to focus your results with just a few keystrokes. learn more
Matt Cutts, a software engineer at Google, provides tips for better web searching. learn more
Google has a few tips and tricks to help you easily find information. learn more
The Multnomah Library Homework Center provides a list of primary sources for a wide range of subjects and topics. Check with you local libraries to see what resources they can offer you and your students. learn more
When searching within a specific domain, remember to check out the domain's journal and magazine web sites. Many offer searchable indexes of articles and resources to speed your information quest. While New Scientist may be a little bit more "sensational" than other science magazines, it can trigger student interest and drive exploration into critical thinking. learn more