Search+Tools

 toc **Search for Purpose** When we are searching for information, we need to consider why we are searching in the first place.

**Google** Google is not simply a search engine - within the site are several tools that can have some very interesting applications.

Google Trends
Google Trends is a fascinating tool. The searches provided on this site present graphs based on the volume of searches for your term throughout the year. The graph below represents the volume of searches for the term: **diet**. Evidently, interest in dieting wanes in the lead-up to Christmas, followed by a sudden surge as New Year's resolutions set in.



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Google News Timelines
Google News Timeline is a tool that will allow students to see how an issue or story develops in the news over time and also over the world. Where contentious global issues arise, it is quite interesting to compare the event as it is reported in Australia, USA and other parts of the world.

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Google Similar Images allows users to search for more images based on an original that they are interested in. The images below are based on a chosen photograph of Ernest Hemingway.

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=Visual Search Engines=

Most search engines, including Google, represent information in ordered lists. What separates them is the means by which they rank the results. There have emerged in recent times a number of search engines that represent information in new and innovative ways. Being aware of these different search tools will help students to tailor their investigative approaches to the type of research they are doing. Below is a selection of search engines that break the familiar mould of Google and other such search engines.

Search Cloud
SearchCloud.net provides a powerful for users to take control over the ranking of results. When users enter their search terms, they can change the font size of each time to reflect its importance in the search. The example below creates an ordered search for Education, ICT and English.

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Viewzi
Viewziis a very powerful search tool that is packaged with multiple search options. The two samples below show two particularly good Viewzi tools: the timline view and the power grid.





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=News Searches=



Newsmap
Newsmapallows users to see the whole world of news visually in one space. Yes, it can clutter the mind and cause a migraine, but this type of tool can stimulate a lot of discussion about what is considered important and what is not in terms of the news.

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