Searching, Searching....what was I looking for again??

I don't know how many times a day I walk into a room to get something, get distracted and start doing something else and then remember that at one time I was searching for something - but I can't remember what it was!!

Searching the web can be a lot like that....you're searching and searching for something but get distracted and then forget what you wanted in the first place. That's why the search helps I've looked at today will be such a huge blessing!! You'll find it as no surprise that I didn't know much about specific searches you can do on the web.....I learned SO much in the "more search help" section! I had no idea that you could do a phrase search to make it search for the exact words/phrase you're looking for by using " " around the words. And then the excluding terms and fill in the blanks stuff.....I mean, I had no clue you could do all that! It makes searching for stuff so much simpler!! This would be so useful as a teacher....being able to be precise in your search so you're not wasting time and then forgetting what you're searching for.

Custom Search was really a neat feature as well. Being able to narrow down the search for your students (and keep them off sites you don't want them looking at) would really help them in their research. It would keep them on track and minimize their time searching by creating a custom search for them. I like that you can also collaborate with other teachers within this feature.

But my favorite of all was Google Squared. Wowzers!! I mean, that is just so stinkin' cool. Once again (surprise, surprise)....I had NO CLUE this could be done! As a teacher, you can create handouts or spreadsheets in a snap - and you can export it to the cloud. Ooh...I wonder if you could also then create a form or quiz from that spreadsheet??? Might have to look into that one. Google Squared would have multiple uses in the classroom! What a gem! :)