Part I: Search Engine Human Simulation

To demonstrate the importance of boolean operators (or using the advanced search function), explain that search engines, no matter how smart we "think" they are, are actually quite dumb, and are only following directions from the user. An easy and fun way to get this idea across is to pretend students are the search results and have them sit/stand depending on what you say.

Example:

• Stand up if you are wearing shoes (everyone should stand up! -- which is WAY too broad of a search.)

Introduce boolean operators to show how students get the exact results they are looking for.

• Stand up if you are wearing tennis shoes OR sandals/flip flops.

• Stand up if you are wearing tennis shoes OR sandals/flip flops but NOT Nike or Converse.

• Stand up if you are wearing shoes that are black.

• Stand up if you are wearing shoes that are white.

• Stand up if you are wearing shoes that are black AND white.

The examples of possibilities are endless and can be about anything, not just what the students are wearing. The main idea is for students to physically see what the search engine is doing behind the scenes and to know it is their job to put in the correct input to get the correct results.

Part II: Advanced Search Kahoot Game

Click Here to see the public game you can copy/edit

Click here to play game with students