GLEAN Information Literacy Tools

From the same folks who bring us the Boolify Project comes two other useful tools for teaching information literacy skills. The GLEAN Comparison Search engine is a tool that allows users to compare search results for "positive" and "negative" perspectives side-by-side. For example, if I search using the term "Libya" I will be presented with lists of positive and negative terms. Clicking on those terms will change my results and give me quick comparison options.

Another neat tool from GLEAN is their WhoIs search tool. The WhoIs search tool is designed to help students evaluate the source of the information on a particular website. I'm not as impressed by GLEAN's WhoIs search as I am with their other information literacy tool for two reasons. First, they seem to be implying that .org domains have more validity than .com domains. Second, under "what can you learn from its ownership" they simply direct to the WhoIs registry which often takes you to a domain by proxy registry that masks the real ownership of a domain. (I use one of those myself so that my home address isn't public). Overall though, the intent of GLEAN's WhoIs search tool is good and worth showing to students as long as you clarify those two points that I made for them. 

Visualize the Effects of Search Operator Words

For the last two days I've facilitated a series of workshops about using Google products in the classroom. One of the workshops included using Google's advanced search features. During that session I was reminded of the Boolify Project, a handy resource for showing students how search operator words affect search results.

The Boolify Project provides a jigsaw-like template into which you can drag the search modifier pieces "and," "or," and "not." Each time a piece is added to the puzzle the search results at the bottom of the page will change accordingly.

Applications for Education
The Boolify Project is a good resource for helping students understand how search operator words can affect their search results. In addition to the search tool, the Boolify Project offers a small collection of lesson plans for teaching about web search tactics.

Boolify Project - Boolean Search Tool

The Boolify Project is a simple jigsaw game that teaches students the effects of "and," "or," and "not" on Internet search results. The game is simple enough for elementary school students to benefit from, at the same time the game provides valuable lessons for high school students. In addition to the Boolify game, the Boolify Project has a links to teaching resources and videos explaining the effects of operator words on Internet search results.

Applications for Education
The Boolify Project provides teachers with a simple but effective way to teach the effects of operator words. The Boolify Project is a good review tool to use at the beginning of the school year or just before starting a research assignment with students.

Here is a short video about Boolean Searching.