Sweet Search

When doing research with students, try sweetsearch.com, a search engine for students. A team of research experts have carefully curated content to return quality results for teachers and students.  In addition to using the search engine, educators may want to utilize the SweetSearch2Day area that highlights a historical fact for that day.  Other features include biographies, helpful research tips, Social Studies content, and SweetSearch4Me for younger students.  Read more here or view this video for a preview of SweetSearch.com and tips on saving your search results to Google Drive, Evernote, Diigo, etc.

Click here to look around Dulcinea (as mentioned on the above video).

Six Google Search Tips

#1 - Search by Filetype

Add filetype: and the 3-letter file extension:

#2 - Ignore Words

Use the minus sign before the word you would like to exclude from your results:

#3 - Search by Location

Add a zip code after any search:

#4 - Search a Specific Site or Site Type

Begin with site: (for example, site:edu or site:grapevinefaith.com)

#5 - Use Country Codes

Use the above tip along with country codes to search websites from a specific country:

#6 - Advanced Image Search

Search images with a particular color, size, image type, etc. when using the ADVANCED SEARCH features:

Seeking a Challenge?

Check out A Google a Day for daily Google search challenges

Infographics

I attended a session on Infographics awhile back at the Fort Worth Technology Conference.  The presenter, Marcia Hensley, proved a very valid point - looking at a well-designed and easy-to-follow infographic may be easier for some (maybe most) students than reading large amounts of text.  After attempting my first infographic, I realized they MUST be well planned and made with a goal in mind.  Having students create an infographic to present data and content would involve most (if not all) of the 4 Cs - communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity.

Ideas for Using Infographics

Kathy Schrock has published a great video on Infographics as a Creative Assessment.  She includes many other infographics resources on her Infographics as an Assessment site.  In addition, Professional Learning Board has listed ways to use infographics in the classroom.

Infographic Design
The anatomy of an infographic, explained here, consists of three parts - visual, content, and knowledge.  In addition, EdTech blogger, Richard Byrne, posted Seven Essentials on Good Infographic Design.

Tools to Create Infographics

1. PiktoChart - PiktoChart offers limited themes, graphics, and upload capabilities.  The free version and Educator Discount upgrade (currently $39.99/year) is explained here.
2. Easel.ly - Explained here - "ideal for educators, students, business owners, and executives who need to convey a thought, lesson plan, or concept in an easy-to-follow visual form"
3. Infogr.am - This online tool allows users to create interactive charts and infographics 
4. Creately - Creately allows users to create 5 public diagrams; Read more here
5. Visme - Free account provides 3 projects; Read more
6. Canva - Read my previous post here
7. PowerPoint - Find directions here

Places to Find Infographics
In addition to some of the online tools mentioned above, example infographics can be found on the following sites:
http://elearninginfographics.com/
http://dailyinfographic.com/
http://www.infographicszone.com/
http://www.discoverinfographics.com/
http://www.infographicsmaze.com/