Learn how Google works, how it determines the ranking of the results to a search query. With this knowledge you can teach your students who will be able to take advantage of Google’s search features and construct better search queries, find better information, and develop Google literacy

Barron, Paul B.

English

Longwood University

Longwood UniversityDigital Commons @ Longwood UniversitySummer Literacy Institute [2016] 13th Annual Summer Literacy Institute:Literacy Goes GlobalJul 21st, 10:45 AM - 11:45 AMHow Google Works: Are Search Engines ReallyDumb and Should Students Care?Paul B. BarronIndividualFollow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.longwood.edu/sliThis Event is brought to you for free and open access by the University Events and Conferences at Digital Commons @ Longwood University. It hasbeen accepted for inclusion in Summer Literacy Institute by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Longwood University. For moreinformation, please contact hinestm@longwood.edu.Barron, Paul B., "How Google Works: Are Search Engines Really Dumb and Should Students Care?" (2016). Summer Literacy Institute.12.https://digitalcommons.longwood.edu/sli/2016/Thursday/12How Google Works: Are Search Engines Really Dumb and Should Students Care? Keywords: Information literacy, Google, search engine, search query, webpage ranking, webpage evaluation Google is the most popular search engine in the world; it processes a billion searches per day, many from students worldwide. When these students are asked how they do research, their first response is likely to be, “I Google the topic. Many on the students have only used Google for research; for them, Research = Googling.” While students perceive themselves as skilled searchers of Google their search queries and research behaviors do not support their assertion. They are not sophisticated users of Google, let alone library resources. Google’s own research confirms students’ Google illiteracy. Google’s research support of U.C. Berkeley’s “Report on the UC Berkeley Library” found that students overused Google and misused scholarly databases. Further the study concluded, “Indeed, they’re not even very good at using Google for research purposes. Students are unable to take advantage of the resources that are readily available to those who know how to find them.” The presentation will explain how Google works, how it determines the ranking of the results to a search query. With this knowledge students will be able to take advantage of Google’s search features and construct better search queries, find better information, and develop Google literacy.       

How Google Works: Are Search Engines Really Dumb and Should Students Care?

https://digitalcommons.longwood.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1137&amp;context=sli

How Google Works: Are Search Engines Really Dumb and Should Students Care?

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