A student asked me once, “Which search engine should I use, Google or Yahoo?” Google was my reply, of course, not just because I’m a fan, but because I know Google Search really is way, way better than Yahoo’s.
Aside from giving students relevant search results to their queries, Google has other cool features which I think would be valuable to students. These features eliminate the use of some tools they need. Well, I mean, a student doesn’t necessarily have to bring his calculator or his dictionary with him when researching online, or look for sites that would offer him unit conversion features, because with Google Search alone, he can calculate, convert units, check spelling, and know the definition of words. He can even ask Google to fill in the blank, of maybe, his assignments. Isn’t that nice?
So students, let’s look closer at each of these features, and be familiarized how to use it.
1. Calculator
Well, you should be able to compute simple calculations on your own, like 25 plus 40, but if it’s a complicated math problem then it’s time to use Google’s calculator feature.
Here are some examples:
You can find a list of shortcuts from this site.
2. Unit Conversion
I think it’s fun to convert units of measurements using the real calculator, a pen, and a piece of paper, but if you are looking for an instant answer then let Google be in charge with that. With Google, you can not only convert between units of height, weight, and mass but also currency, temperature, time, power, information, etc.
Here are some examples:
On this site, you can find more about unit conversion and using Google to know physical constants like the Faraday Constant. Once you are familiar with the different operators on Google’s hidden calculator, you can try more complicated ones like knowing your weight in the moon.
3. Dictionary Definition
There are two ways for Google to help you know the definition of a word. The first one, is by putting a space between define and the word you are looking for, i.e. define cooperative, define exhilarating. This will yield to several pages that define that word, and then you choose which page you want as a resource.
There are some instances though that some pages in the search results don’t really define the word, but just have those two keywords on the page. Thus, using the other shortcut is better wherein you get a list of definitions from various online resources. You can do this by putting a colon, instead of a space, between define and the word, i.e. define:cooperative.
4. Spell Checker
There are some people who are good with spelling, and there are some who aren’t, but there are just some words that are really hard to spell isn’t it? That’s why Google is here to give us a hand. If you aren’t sure of the spelling of a word, just type the word, with the spelling you have in mind, on the search box and hit click. If that is misspelled, then Google will give you the more accepted one or correct one.
5. Fill in the Blank
So, this time you were asked who invented electricity, or what did Columbus discovered. You know you know the answer, but it just have slipped from your mind. Now, don’t worry because Google will fill in the blank for you. Just type an asterisk (*) after the phrase you want Google to complete.
Here are some examples:
Conclusion
The five features enumerated are in fact just a few of Google’s search features. There are also advanced search features like putting quotation marks between phrases, and using a date range to restrict the search results. And it is not just Google Search, there are other products and tools student can use when doing their researches and assignments like Google Scholar, Google Docs, Google Book Search, and Google Notebook.
Posts
