Searching

On Google, there is an advanced searching feature which allows you to search more precisely.  This feature allows you to use search terms in various ways.  It gives you multiple boxes to specify which words or phrases must be in the result.  A feature that I find interesting is being able to specify reading level when searching.  If you are searching for an article for a 5th grade class to read, you can set the reading level to basic.  After you search it tells you what percent of the findings are in each reading level so if you can adjust it to get more results.

Using Google search engine you can search for images.  I have always been a little freaked out about this feature because of the possibility of images that appear being immodest.  I now know how to filter this using the advanced search option.  Along with a lot of other features it allows you to filter the images.  It also allows you to search for images that are black and white or contain a certain color.  This would be great to use for a class if you need something like an orange butterfly or a black dog.  You can also control for what region the image came from, type of image and size of the image.

Using Google custom search you specify the places that your students can get their information from.  I have this feature on many websites used to search within their website but did not realize how useful it could be in a classroom.  You can do the free version on your class website and then the students can search in a safer environment.