Peer Review

Inside Search

Material Detail page

Reviewed:: Sep 20, 2021 by ICT Literacy

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:

This set of self-paced video courses teaches Google Power Searching and Advanced Power Searching sklls. Learn tips and tricks to become a fast and effective fact-finder, and deepenunderstanding of solving complex research problems. The site also enables you to join a global community of Power Searchers.

Type of Material:

Online Course

Recommended Uses:

The program may be employed to provide general instruction on how to execute basic and complex searches using the Google search engine. Learners can go through the course as an assignment (can be flipped), and apply skills for a research project

Technical Requirements:

works on Windows browsers

Identify Major Learning Goals:

The Power Searching with Google program covers everything from search basics (how to make an effective query), up through advanced search tips and search feature methods, along with ways to determine if what you’re finding is credible.

Course material also focuses on the full range of advanced operators (such as site: intext: inurl: etc), along with how and when to use them.

Target Student Population:

High School, College General Ed, College Lower Division, College Upper Division, Library and Information Professionals

Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

basic ICT literacy skills, specifically basic understanding of Internet search engines

Content Quality

Rating:

Strengths:

The course is well organized and part of a comprehensive curriculum designed to build and enhance Internet search skills. Course content incorporates information on basic skill development and provides a broad foundation for the addition of more complex searching techniques. Content is clear and concise, largely because the video instructor, who is Google employee and educator, demonstrates sample"live" searches. The information is self-contained so different users can all find appropriate applications.

Concerns:

The Power Searching with Google program is divided into two sub-courses. Participants must be mindful to complete the sections in order.

Some links are broken.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:
Strengths:: Learning objectives are clearly expressed, and reflect central ICT literacy standards. The course begins with a diagnostic quiz, which alerts the user as to ensuing concepts and current level of knowledge. Basically, the course assumes very little prior knowledge. The course is highly structured: six modules each with lessons and activities, followed by a quiz to check for understanding. Thus, it is very easy for instructors to write assignments that incorporate this course. The progression is very deliberate, building upon prior lessons. Lessons are short and targeted, as are the quizes, so learning is very efficient. The information itself is very applicable for ICT practice.
Concerns:: no concerns

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:: The lessons are professionally done and attractive; they have a consistent structure to help go through the course. The introductory video explains how to navigate the course. Frequent checks for understanding exist. Online discussion forums facilitates networking and peer learning. Text versions accompany the vidoes for ADA compliance.
Concerns:: Sometimes there is not direction on where to go next. The systems is not very flexible in terms of acceptable, and the referred answers are sometimes shown at the time of the quiz. Sometimes no or incomplete feedback is given in a quiz so you don't know the correct answer. Sometimes broken links

Other Issues and Comments:: Overall, the Power Searching with Google program is a professionally produced course that introduces participants to the idea of search, how Google works, and gives them the methods, strategies and tactics to find what they need to find.
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