Certified Google Power Searcher

Recently, I completed the free Power Searching with Google online course to improve my search skills and become a Certified Google Power Searcher. The course consists of  six classes covering many search techniques. Each of the six classes consists of sessions that contain a video to watch and an activity to complete. You have to complete the pre-assessment, and pass the mid-assessment and post-assessment to complete the course and earn a certificate. Also, to earn a certificate you have to take the assessments within the time frame decided by Google. Google has offered this course two times so far and plans on offering it again in the future.  I highly recommend taking this course. It is worthwhile for searchers with basic or even advanced skills. I consider myself a searcher with advanced skills and, while I did already know most of the search techniques taught,  I still learned some search techniques to add to my repertoire. Check out Google’s Tips and Tricks site to view some of the search techniques covered in the course.

mapFAST

mapFAST allows you to find library materials about world wide locations through WorldCat or Google Books. Simply type in the geographic location you would like to find library materials on and click search. You can limit the search radius and the types of places that are displayed (regions, lakes, populated places, etc.) You will be given a map with locations and you can click on the appropriate one to search through the library materials available.

Sort Google Search Results By Reading Level

Google now allows you to sort your search results according to a “readability index” which ranks results as “basic”, “intermediate” or “advanced” in terms of reading level. In order to sort by readability you have to click on “Advanced search” which is next to the Google search box and then select “Reading level”. This is a helpful tool for showing students that they can find reading materials that are properly suited for their reading level.

Here is a description and instructions for use from Google:
http://www.google.com/support/websearch/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=1095407

Intute

Intute  provides access to online resources for study and research, via a large database of resources. Each resource is reviewed by an academic specialist in the subject.

Twine

With Twine you can organize and share information on topics that are of interest to you. Twine is an online, social web service for information storage, authoring and discovery.

SortFix

SortFix is a is a search tool designed to help its users boost their search skills and abilities.  When a search term is entered a Power Words  box is given, as well as, an Add to Search box, a Remove box and a Dictionary box. The search results are taken from Google and Twitter.