Custom+Google+Searches


 * Why use Google Custom Search? ** ** by Beth Greene **



http://p21.org/documents/21stcskillsmap_science.pdf

http://p21.org/documents/stateleaders071906.pdf

** ISTE/MA standards **

__Internet, Networking, and Online Communication__ G9-12: 1.27 Use search engines and online directories. Explain the differences among various search engines and how they rank results. G9-12: 1.28 Explain and demonstrate effective search strategies for locating and retrieving electronic information (e.g., using syntax and Boolean logic operators). __Research__ G9-12: 3.1 Devise and demonstrate strategies for efficiently collecting and organizing information from electronic sources. G9-12: 3.2 Compare, evaluate, and select appropriate electronic resources to locate specific information. G9-12: 3.3 Select the most appropriate search engines and directories for specific research tasks.

I saw the link for Google Custom Searc hes and I thought what a great way to give my students access to all the sites I frequently search on to supplement my classroom material. You can create of list of sites that are good sources and then direct your students to the search box. You could also use it as a lesson on what makes a good source. To start making your google custom search go to the following link

http://www.google.com/cse/

- On the left there is a banner that says Create a Google custom search engine - click that - If you do not have a Google account you will need to make one if you do log-in - There is some information you need to add into your Google custom search, in the first window you need to put in a name for your search, this should be something relevant to the sites you will be putting into your search. I choose Mrs. BGreene's Applied Physics class search. - The next window asks for a description this is helpful for a reference for you, just elaborate on what you put in the name window.



- Now gather up all your best sites on the topic your creating your search for and copy and past them into the last window (sites to search) - If your looking for a place to find some good sites you can try one called Stumble Upon, it allows you to pick topics for just about any subject and then lets you just well stumble upon them. Here is the link for that site

http://www.stumbleupon.com/home/

- Once you have compiled your list of sites decided if you want to use the free search with adds or if you want to pay $100 you can have a search engine without adds. I personally would be ok with the adds. - Then you need to check the box that says you agree to the terms and conditions. - Click the Next button at the bottom of the page. - You may now make some color choices from the themes at the top of the window and you may test your search engine. - To test the search engine just type in a word or phrase as you would in any search engine. The words you type in will only come from the pages you selected. - If your happy with your search engine you can then again hit the next button.



- This page will give you the embedding code so you can put it into your class website. - To put it into your wikispace you need to be in edit mode for the page. - Click on your site in the place you would like the search window to appear. - Then click the Widget button at the top of the page. - Select Other from the bottom of the options - Paste in the embedding code from your google custom search that you created - Save the code in your wikispace - Your done! You now have your own custom search!

I have included one as a teacher resource at the bottom of this page! Give it a try! As you make new custom searches add them to our wikispace so other teachers can benefit from your hard work and great website collections!

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