Search and Evaluate Websites

Tool
Description
Usefulness Rating
(1-5)
Ease-of-Use Rating
GoogleAdvancedSearchGoogle Advanced Search
Google Advanced Search allows students to narrow down a search through a number of different parameters such as including an exact words or phrase, file type (e.g. PDF, PPT, etc), website domain, reading level and/or date of last update.
5
Hard
refseekRefSeek
RefSeek is an academic search engine that makes scholarly information easier to access than traditional search engines such as Google. Refseek cuts down on the overload of non-academic search results by eliminating sponsored links and commercial search results.
5
Easy
SweetSearchSweet Search
Sweet Search is a search engine for students that uses only 35,000 sites that have been previously vetted by other educators. Sweet Search excludes sites designated as spam and those lacking academic content. Also, it does not bury older sites that are still relevant in the search results.
5
Easy
WolframAlphaWolfram Alpha
Wolfram Alpha is a unique web based computation engine. As opposed to traditional search engines, the results are data driven. This search tool is an outstanding resource for math and science research.
5
Medium
WayBackMachineWayback Machine
Wayback Machine is a unique search tool that allows students to search the history of the Internet. By searching a specific website or URL, students can view the changes over time as well as how the website has progressed and changed. This tool is helpful with identifying the validity and evolution of the content on specific websites.
3
Easy
KathyShrockKathy Schrock’s Critical Evaluation Surveys
Kathy Schrock provides a series of useful tools to help students question and evaluate web content. The questionaires are divided into grade levels (elementary, middle, and high school).
4
Easy
NoodletoolsNoodleTools
NoodleTools provides a range of free and subscription-based web search and annotation tools. The free “Choose the Best Search for Your Information Need” tool helps students define topics, select search tools, and search effectively.
4
Easy
instagrokInstagrok
Instagrok allows students to research any topic with an interactive concept map. The concept map can be customized and shared.
3
Medium
millionshortMillion Short
Million Short is a search engine that removes the top 1 million (or 1000 or 100) most popular web sites from its index. Imagine what students will discover!
3
Medium
BoolifyBoolify
Boolify helps students visualize the search process and understand how to narrow and expand searches. It is a great way to help scaffold the process.
3
Medium
KidRexKidRex
KidRex is a safe search engine created for younger students. The interface is simple, and the results have all been filtered through safe-search.
3
Easy
SweetSearch4meSweetSearch4Me
SweetSearch4Me is a search engine just for younger students. The content is regularly evaluated and screened for usefullness, safety, and age-appropriate designations by a team of educators..
4
Easy
KVLThe KYVL Research Portal
This site from the Kentucky Virtual Library provides an excellent set of curriculum resources for teaching students about searching and evaluating websites.
5
Easy
SearchyPantsSearchyPants
SearchyPants lets teachers create a custom search engine for their students. It filters inappropriate content and provides monitoring tools with a free login.
3
Easy

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