Search Engines: Ask

Ask is also a very capable search engine. The result of a merger between the superb Teoma search engine and clunky old Ask Jeeves search engine, the current version of Ask became available in the spring of 2006 and keeps getting better and better with each passing month. While its database of indexed webpages is not nearly as large as Google's, it offers features not currently found on Google.

Let's take a look...

Click here to open Ask in a new browser window.

Enter a phrase like insect lesson plans into the search box click the search button or press the enter/return key on your keyboard. When the results page appears, you will notice that the results have been divided into several sections.

The Web Search section displays a list of hits on one side of the screen. On the other side of the screen you will notice a list of Related Searches.

Note: Don't panic if features are not in the exact locations that I have described. Ask is still continually tweaking the user interface. Just look around a bit and you will find the feature.

As the sites were indexed, Ask has been comparing other pages with similar content looking for related keywords and phrases. Clicking on those additional related searches makes it possible to quickly adjust your search parameters to zero in on precisely the information you are looking for.

Using your research topic, explore the Related Searches feature on Ask. Add other keywords, phrases, etc. to your "Analyze Your Search Topic" page and don't forget to add new bookmarks/favorites to your collection.

Note: The Ask search engine is not currently offering an advanced search screens. That feature may reappear in the future.

Record your comments on this search site in your logbook.

Add relevant resources that you found using this search site to your bookmarks/favorites collection.

You may be thinking that these two excellent search engines will be all that you need to locate additional elementary curriculum resources... but wait, there are other options.

Next: Searching with Yahoo!