searchtools

media type="custom" key="2982840" toc =Search Tools Overview=

There are a variety of search tools designed specifically for k-12 learners. These tools include search engines that pull results from approved databases as well as browsers that represent search results visually making it easier for emergent readers to search for and access information. In addition to the many tools designed to help facilitate the searching process, there are many different tools that focus on helping kids save, categorize and cite the information they find online.

**Uses of Search Tools in Education**
One of the most common things students do in school is search for information online. This can involve very young students looking for information on a specific website approved by their teacher to older students conducting their own keyword searches to locate information for a presentation or research project. Tools designed to help kids store information and cite references can also be useful in helping students learn about the proper use of information and the importance of properly citing a source. This is particularly important considering how easy it is to copy and paste text, images, sound and video files from just about anywhere online.

Educational Benefits of Search Tools
An obvious benefit of using a search engine specifically designed for k-12 students is the fact that the sites returned in your search results are much less likely to contain inappropriate content and, consequently, less likely to be blocked by your school's filtering system. These tools can provide students with a safer environment to practice their research skills and become more efficient at keyword searches.

Specific Ideas for using Search Tools in a k-12 Setting
Click here to add or view a lesson plan or idea for using this technology in the classroom.

Specific Links to...
The following search engines/tools have been designed specifically for use with a k-12 population. Most of them claim to monitor and filter the web content that is returned but you should still be aware that certain content can still slip through despite our best intentions.
 * Kid Friendly Search Engines & Tools**
 * [|KIDO'Z Browser] allows kids to surf approved sites, videos and games. It appears to be a bit more focused on the "play" aspect of things rather than educational pursuits but it could be a valuable search tool for younger kids especially.
 * [|Boolify] is a great tool to help students learn more about Boolean searching and how to conduct an effect keyword search. Students use different puzzle pieces to link together the keywords in their search and they are provided support along the way to help them narrow down and clarify their searches. The search results are from [|Google] and filtered through their "[|Safe Search Strict]" technology.
 * [|netTrekker] is a subscription based search tool that is used by many schools and districts. It provides a safe searching environment for kids that is regularly monitored. Some state and regional organizations provide subscriptions to this service to the schools in their jurisdiction so check around and see if your school already has access.
 * [|EBSCOhost] is another subsription based service that provides k-12 students with a large variety of databases to search. You can check out the service by using their free trial.
 * [|Quintura] applies a very visual approach to searching. Kids can click on different images to generate keywords for their searches and depending on what keywords they select, more suggestions for relevant keywords will be offered to help them narrow down their search.
 * [|Ask Kids] is the kid friendly version of the [|Ask Jeeves] search tool. Students are able to conduct searches by asking different questions as a way to locate information.
 * [|KidsClick!] is a search tool managed by librarians. Sites are broken down into different categories so that students can either do a keyword search or just click on a category name.
 * [|Yahooligans] is designated for 7-12 year old kids and pulls search results only from approved sites rather than the entire web. This site has a lot of distractions though and often feels like it is one big commercial for kid related movies and tv shows.
 * [|Wikipedia Selection for Schools] is a handpicked selection of resources specifically targeted for k-12 learners. Students can search through the site much like they would the full [|Wikipedia] site or you can download the entire site (or request a free DVD housing the contents of the site) so that students can search the information offline.

These tools have not necessarily been designed for k-12 students but could certainly be useful to that population.
 * Other Search Tools**
 * [|Middlespot.com] is a search tool that allows you to view results both as standard text and as a gallery of thumbnail images. You can also save different parts of your search results to a personalized notepad and share those results with colleagues or other students.
 * [|SpaceTime] is one of those "Wow" tools that you can probably do without but sure looks cool. It allows you to do "3D searching", which is probably best understood by watching the demo they have on their main page. Currently, this tool only works with Windows Vista, which seems to be a real limitation.

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 * Tools for Supporting Internet Use/Research**
 * [|Google Custom Search Engine] allows you to create your own search engine that only searches the specific sites you identify. This means that you can handpick the sites you know are at the appropriate reading level, have accurate content and aren't blocked by your school's filters and have students only search those sites in their research. The best part is that they pull out the ads if you specify that you are using the search engine in a school setting.
 * TrackStar allows you to create "tracks" through a series of websites for your students to follow. You can add comments to each site in a track in order to provide guidance, extra information, questions or any other information that may be helpful to your students.
 * [|Sharetabs] is a great tool to use to share a specific set of websites with your students as a set of tabs in a browser window. You select the sites you want to share and Sharetabs creates a link to a page with those sites listed in tabs. Students can then click back and forth between the different tabs and never lose track of the sites you want them to explore.
 * [|Tizmos] allows you to keep track of different sites by assigning a thumbnail image to display your different links.
 * [|Zotero] allows you to keep track of your search results, references and information that you find online. It supports learners in the creation of bibliographies and is an incredibly powerful tool. This resource is really intended for high school students and older and it would definitely take some time to learn to use but it would be well worth the effort.
 * [|NoodleTools] provides a variety of free tools for students to assist them in the research process. This includes information on choosing the best search engine and also an easy to use citation creator to help them get their references properly formatted.
 * [|Citation Creation] helps you create correctly formatted citations. Other similar tools include [|Citation Builder] and [|EasyBib].