Today you will
- take one weak search and try it three new ways
- look past the first page of results
- add three rows to your log and pick the best one
Warm-up
Open your search log and find the search that let you down most. Why was it weak?
If you have no log yet, make {{code:sm4_search_log}} in {{code:Project_Portfolio/09_specialism/sm4/}} with these headings. Then type one weak search in row 2.
Try these moves on a weak search.
- Change the words: swap a word for one that means the same, or add Ireland. For example, use "Intreo" instead of "job centre".
- site: filter: {{code:site:gov.ie apprenticeship}} only shows pages from gov.ie.
- Rephrase: ask the question a new way. Put quotes around an exact phrase, like {{code:"casual trading licence"}}.
- Past the first page: good pages often sit lower down, so open page 2.
Example
The weak search food stall costs became {{code:market stall startup costs Ireland}}.
You will try one weak search three new ways, using Google, Bing or DuckDuckGo. Follow the steps in the box below. After each search, write down what you typed, the best link, and one note on how good it was.
Common problems
- site:gov.ie finds nothing useful. Try {{code:site:citizensinformation.ie}}, {{code:site:fsai.ie}}, {{code:site:revenue.ie}} or {{code:site:cso.ie}} instead.
- My three searches look the same. Use a different move each time. Change the words, then use site:, then rephrase.
- I can't find page 2. Scroll to the bottom and look for page numbers or {{btn:More results}}.
- The top results are all ads. Add {{code:Ireland}}, quotes or a site: filter.
Independent Practice
- Open {{code:sm4_search_log}} in {{code:Project_Portfolio/09_specialism/sm4/}}, or make it there. Row 1 needs these five headings:
- Pick one weak search. Change the words and search again. Add a row with word change in the notes.
- Use a {{code:site:}} filter on a trusted Irish site. Add a row with site filter in the notes.
- Ask the question a new way and look past page 1. Add a row with rephrase in the notes.
- Type {{code:WINNER:}} and one sentence in the best row's notes, then save.
- I have three new rows, each with a different move.
- Each row has a real link and a note.
- My best row says {{code:WINNER:}} and why.
- {{code:sm4_search_log}} is saved.
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