Google Custom Search is not just good for the classroom, but for any home with kids. You first need to have a Google account. Once that is established you can set it up. You first name the custom search. Then you can describe its function or what the purpose of this search is. Next you select the language. You are given the option to set the parameters by only allowing one to search the websites you want. Your search can be any website with the emphasis on what you have selected. There is an advance option that will allow you to choose whether or not they can search the entire domain or just certain pages you selected. Then on the left there is a control panel that will give you the ability to embed your search book on a wiki page or blog. This is under the look and feel link. You need to make sure that you embed both the search box as well as the parameters or your search. When you are through with this you can test to make sure that everything is set up the way you want it. If you do not choose to put it on a wiki or a blog. You also have an option of putting on a Google page but you need to make sure you send the link out so people can find it. This is a great tool for kids and teenagers to make sure they are staying on the appropriate websites. Especially for those younger more unfamiliar students you can introduce searching on the wed and not over load them. This is a wonderful tool.
A wonderful wheel it is and I will use it more myself. Wonder wheel will give even the most advance searcher the ability to make there search more of a specific topic to search. Every time you click on a result from the wheel it will narrow down your search even more, talk about octums razor. This will save time and frustration when searching a topic that may be vague at first because you are not sure specifically what too type. As you select from the wheel on the left hand side your are given the top websites to choose from. This is my new best search friend. Underneath the wonder wheel you are given an option to have google look at related searches. Once again if you cannot find what you need you can look at what other options are avaliable based upon the particular topic you choose. This helps to stay within the specfic word comdination you used while expanding the search. Last is the timeline option. This will give you a spectic timeline of your topic. This option will also allow you to look at information associated with a specfic time period. Students will not just get a timeline but they will get the abiltiy to see a thorough history during that time period. All three of these options will allow students to have thorough and substantive search on the web. High five Google on these features.
Last point you find these option after you preform a normal search on the left side under all results. Have fun searching.
Well done. :-)
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