Internet Search Tools: The web's tool box

In this post I have outlined five websites that will provide excellent assistance to students in a math classroom and many other subjects. It's generally a good idea to have numerous resources available to you when it comes to surfing the web. The search engines I've listed below provide a safe environment for students to research in and a unique way of searching for materials. Granted these are only a few of many search engines, but the five below provide a safe environment to collect and learn new material for both teachers and students. Under each of the headings below I've provided a basic over view of the uses and unique searching manner for each site. Click on the headings to check out each unique engine.



Info Trek:

Info Trek is a custom search sponsored by Google, specifically with students in mind. This search engine is a safe search and keeps students clear of any inappropriate materials as they research. Info trek has many notable features and is very user friendly. On Info Trek’s startup page there are several icons to help narrow down the student’s topic. From that topic info trek displays more icons to further narrow down the search. For my students, I believe you'll find the mathematics page most helpful, as info trek suggests topics and word choices to better enhance your search. As an educator I will definitely point my students towards this engine for basic research.




InstaGrok:

This innovative search engine provides results in concept maps instead of lists. This useful tool allows you to go right to the heart of what you are looking for. Simply type in your query and click on the area you need to expand. Another useful aspect of this search engine is the ability to take notes on material as you find it. InstaGrok would be very useful in researching scientific methods or historical events. Every map you click on displays a number of key facts about that subject. Furthermore you can visit the websites that these facts come from, watch videos on the subject, or search images. Instagrok is very user friendly and endeavors to create connections between material in a unique way.




Goofram:

Try out this wacky search engine for twice the results in one search! Goofram combines the listed results from Google with the facts of wolfram. For example entering algebra in Goofram pulls up Googles numerous website results on the left and wolframs examples and definitions on the right. This clever search engine provides students with an efficient means of looking for sites and gaining basic knowledge at the same time. As a math educator I would suggest that my students use this engine when looking up solutions to difficult math problems. Google is a great tool, but having a working knowledge is also key to making the proper search and Goofram provides both efficiently.



Refdesk:

While it may not be the prettiest website out there, Refdesk has much to offer in the way of student resources. Refdesk provides students with a plentitude of resources and information in just one page. Students can scroll down the page to find anything from games, to recent news, to fun facts, or a link to almost every newspaper on the web. As an educator I especially like this website for it’s ask the experts page. Students can get connected to experts in many areas of expertise. I would encourage my advanced math students to check out Dr. Math’s page and get detailed solutions and explanations when I am not available to assist them.

GoGooligans:

This search engine is another site safe for kids of all ages. With the safe search enabled Go Gooligans is designed for kids and teens and even caters to disabled students with a pop up keyboard. Search results for this site greatly resemble Googles results, complete with a pictures option. I personally really like this engine for the number of good sites that it suggest on the first page alone. Go Googlians will search any topic and provide succinct results. I would suggest this for my math students and especially for my advanced math students as Go Googlians suggests many sites that can be found on my top 15 and I trust many more excellent sources to be found here.