Thing #5

For this thing, we are going to look at another feature of a Google account.  (If you haven't already created a Google account, be sure and do that first.) 

At the top of the Google search page, you should see a list of other options (Web, Images, Video, etc.).  At the end is the "more" option.  Click on that, then click on "even more" at the bottom of the list.  That will take you to a list of Google products.  The sixth on the list is "Custom Search."  Click on that.

Creating a custom search through Google allows you to select the websites your users have access to when they conduct a search.  Below is a definition of a custom search from the Google Custom Search FAQ page.

What is a Custom Search Engine?

A Custom Search Engine is a tailored search experience, built using Google's core search technology, that prioritizes or restricts search results based on websites and pages you specify. Your Custom Search Engine can be tailored to reflect your point of view or area of expertise. With a Custom Search Engine, you can:

• Apply your website's look and feel to the search results page.
• Provide search refinements within results pages to make it easier for searchers to find the information they're looking for.
• Add sites to your search engine's index as you surf the web.
• Invite friends and trusted users to co-edit and contribute to your search engine.
• Make money from your Custom Search Engine by participating in Google's AdSense program.

Once you've defined your search engine index, Google will give you a simple piece of code for a search box to place on your site or blog. You'll then have the option to choose various customization options to make the look and feel and functionality of your search engine your own.

Think about what kind of custom search you would like to create.  It might be a custom search for your students with websites focusing on a particular topic or just websites you know will be appropriate for them, a custom search for you professionally with websites you often visit, or a custom search for you personally with websites you search for fun.  Before completing Thing #5, make a list of the websites and their URLs you would like to include in your custom search.  Once you have that list, you're ready to go.  Remember, you can always go back and add websites to your custom search.

To complete Thing #5, create a custom search for yourself.  To do that, click on the "Create a Custom Search" button on the custom search page and follow the steps.  It can be professional or personal.  Then create a new post on your blog, and using Thing #5 as your subject or heading, record your impressions of creating a custom search and whether or not you see use for a custom search tool in your particular situation (classroom, grade level, etc.).  (If you're feeling adventurous, you can add your custom search bar to your blog post, but that's not required since it requires copying and pasting html code.  Let me know if you'd like to do that but aren't sure how!)
Don't forget...to continue adding ideas as you have them about how we can use these Web 2.0 tools on the Idea Sheet.
Just for fun...Another website that serves this same function is Rollyo.  Go there and explore the differences.  Do you find Rollyo easier or more difficult than Google Custom Search to use?  What benefits or disadvantages do you find with one versus the other?