Search smarter, not harder

Advanced Search Tools in Google

When you have a question that you don't know the answer to where do you go to find an answer? Chances are that you find yourself entering a few search terms into Google on your computer or smartphone to see what you can dig up. I've definitely seen students take this approach when trying to conduct research.  With the enormous amount of information that lives online it's not always easy to find what you're looking for. Here are just a few tips for you and your students on how to attain your desired search results quicker.

This, but not that

If you're using a search term that has another meaning or is popular for something else, you can type your search term followed by subtraction symbol and the term you want to avoid. 

Exact phrase

You may be looking for something that has an exact phrase in it. In this case, use quotation marks to only return results that contain those exact words.

Fill in the blanks

When you can't remember the full phrase of what you were looking for you can add asterisks within the quotes where the missing words are. 

Define 

Use Google as a dictionary by adding the word "define" before your search term.

Translate

You can also translate words to other languages by typing the word you want translated followed by the language. 

Digging even deeper

There are even more search options that you can use to narrow your search that can be found within the advanced search menu. To get to the menu, click the gear icon to open the settings menu and then "Advanced search".

As you can see, there are many more parameters to modify to narrow your search. The option to filter by usage rights provides an opportunity to talk to students about digital citizenship and copyright usage. 

The "site or domain" option is a great way to seek out more credible sources. You can limit the search to only include websites that end in .edu, .gov or .org.

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Try out the advanced search tricks next time you're looking for browsing for that perfect resource on Google. If you want to pass on some good search habits to your students, Google has some pre-built search lessons that are differentiated for beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. Topics include:

Picking the right search terms

Understanding search results

Narrowing a search to get the best results

Searching for evidence for research tasks

Evaluating credibility of sources

You can also sharpen your search skills by trying out the "a Google a day" game which requires you to use advanced search techniques to find the answer to difficult questions. Try it out here.

Protect Yourself From Dangerous Emails + Chromebook Sign In Update

Protect Yourself Against Dangerous Email Messages with these Simple Tips:

Recently a phishing email circulated amongst some White Bear Lake staff. Phishing emails will typically direct the user to visit a website where they are asked to update personal information, such as a password, credit card, social security, or bank account numbers, that the legitimate organization already has. Clicking links in phishing emails may also cause viruses to download onto your computer.

You can protect yourself against these dangerous emails with these tips.

Tip 1: Don’t trust a display name

Phishing emails often use spoof display names. Check the email address in the header. If looks suspicious, don’t open the email. 

Example: A display name might be Cassandra Knutson, but the associated email might be getyourinfo@stealing.com

Tip 2: Hover over links before clicking

You can hover your mouse over a link to view the full web address. If the web address looks suspicious, don’t click on it.

Example: CLICK HERE!

Tip 3: Check for spelling mistakes

Legitimate messages usually do not have major spelling and grammar mistakes

Tip 4: Analyze the greeting and the signature line

Be suspicious of vague greetings and signature lines.

Tip 5: Don’t give personal information

Legitimate companies will never ask for personal credentials via email.

Tip 6: Beware of urgent or threatening language in the subject line

Beware of urgent subject lines that ask you to respond to or click on something immediately.

Tip 8: Don’t click on attachments

Beware of suspicious attachments and don’t open any email attachments you weren’t expecting.

Tip 9: Watch this video

If you do click on a dangerous or worrisome attachement or link, immediately contact the technology department so that we can work with you to contain the issue so that it does not spread.

Chromebook Sign In Update - Effective March 16th, 2016

A recent update to the Chrome Operating System allows us to set up Chromebooks for sign in without "@isd624.org". This new feature has been successfully tested and approved by teachers and students. As of Wednesday, March 16th students will only need to enter their ID # (“@isd624.org” will already be entered at the login screen) and password to log into Chromebooks. Staff logins to Chromebooks will not change, for now.