Using Google Search Lesson Plan
Overview
This lesson will help students understand how the Google search engine works. They will learn more about narrowing search terms to find better search results. They will also learn how to search specific types of files and images, including images labeled for reuse.
Information Technology
Class : IT Applications I
Grade: 9
Concept: Efficient use of search engines to find relevant information.
Objectives:
Students will be able to
- Define Google search terms
- Recognize that search terms will affect search results
- Apply filters and use operators to perform effective searches within Google.
- Distinguish desired search results
- Design an infographic using text boxes, borders, and other various formatting options within word processing software to create a visually appealing how to guide
Materials:
Internet enabled device and word processing software
Standards:
CIS.HS.4a.1.c Demonstrate a variety of strategies for effective and efficient searches.
CIS.HS.4a.2.c Apply digital design strategies to design professional documents (e.g., graphic design, layout, typography, font face, font style)
Accommodations/Modifications:
- Read&Write Google extension for reading assistance
- Starter template for infographic if needed
- Option to create assignment in slides with one main infographic slide that can be downloaded
- Provide an alternative rubric with fewer/more requirements for the infographic
Multiple Intelligence(s) Addressed:
- verbal/linguistic
- logical/mathematical
- visual/spatial
Formative & Summative Assessment
Formative: Edpuzzle Questions, Discussion Questions, Google a Day activity
Summative: Infographic project
Vocabulary:
- Search engine
- Search bar
- Search terms
- Key words
- Search results
- Advertisements
- Natural results
- Filters
- Operators
- Suffixes: .com, .org, .edu, .gov, .net
- Image results
- File types: .pdf .jpg, .png, .doc, .xls, .svg, .ppt
Introduction:
Give students a bell ringer question that the teacher suspects students will automatically turn to Google to answer. Examples:
- What is your celebrity crushes net worth?
- What high school did Elon Musk go to?
- Is there a Jimmy John’s in Juneau Alaska?
Body of Lesson:
- Begin with brief discussion of how well students think they are currently navigating search engines.
Question examples
- How have you used Google for school or personal use so far?
- How do you know you are searching well vs. not searching well?
- How do you usually pick which article you’re going to read or which video you’ll view?
- How can you check multiple resources from multiple points of view? As an example, what is the British narrative of the United States Revolutionary war?
- Class will watch How Google works video on Edpuzzle and answer the questions as they view.
- The instructor will provide a demonstration of how entering different terms and using filters, operators in the Google search engine will vary search results. Example: perform a standard search for the word “plants” and review the results one receives, next search “plants sites: .gov” and compare the results with students pointing out what types of sites are displayed and what the snippet of information looks like the reader will find on the sites.
- Class will read through filters and operators from Google help section.
- Bring the class back together and talk about why people may choose to search for different site types and file types along with searching specific keywords.
- Students will partner to complete a Google a Day challenge .
- Finally students will use word processing software to create an infographic they can use as a cheat sheet for future Google searches. Directions and Rubric are listed on separate printable sheets below.
Infographic Project Directions:
“How to Google” Infographic Student Directions
An infographic is a visual representation of information or data.
Your goal is to use Microsoft Word or Google Docs to create an infographic for your personal use. The infographic will help remind you of what you’ve learned about how Google works and how you can perform more powerful searches using tools like filters and operators. You may use Google to search examples of infographics for inspiration.
Content Requirements:
- Title for the infographic
- Section headings to include filters, operators, file types, site types (you may include any other headers you find beneficial)
- Filters section will include the name and description of 8 filters: 5 of your choice and five required: publish date, verbatim, dictionary, image type, image usage rights.
- Operators section will include the name and description of the following 5 required operators and any others you may choose that you find useful: “exact match”, search range of numbers, combine searches, specific site, related sites
- File types section will include the file extension and name of file types for: images, word files, pdf files, excel files, any other file type you find useful
- Site types section will include: commercial sites, government sites, education sites, and any other file type you find useful
- 1-3 sentence text blurb describing why using specific search terms and using tools like filters and operators help you search Google
Style Requirements:
- Minimum of two font types
- Section headers will be created with shapes or text boxes with color backgrounds
- Minimum of three colors
- Minimum of 4 icons or graphics
- Use of borders or lines
Rubric Infographic Project
Criteria | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
Overall Appearance (4 points) | Design is appealing information is enhanced with use of design. All 5 style requirements on the instructions sheet were met | Information is sufficiently communicated Not all style elements met | Style overwhelmed information and made the presentation confusing | Minimal style elements applied or style elements masked information | No style elements applied |
Graphics (4 points) | 4 graphics used to enhance information use of graphics added to overall quality of info and user design | At least 3 graphics use that complement information | Some graphics used | Graphics did not work with the information | No graphics used |
Data (4 points) | All data is accurate | Minor error in data | More than one minor error in data | Multiple errors in data | No data provided |
Content (4 points) | All required subheadings required sub points and number of sub points all present: 8 Filters 5 Operators Minimum 4 File types Minimum 3 website types | All required headings included, all required subpoints included missing some of the student choice subpoints | All required headings missing some required subpoints | Missing headings or missing all required subpoints | No headings or sub points |
Grammar and spelling (4 points) | Infographic is free of grammar and spelling errors | 1-2 minor grammar or spelling errors | 3-4 grammar or spelling errors | 4+ grammar or spelling errors | Numerous mistakes drastically impacted the quality of the product |