Google Universe: How to Make the Most of Your

Students’ Favorite Resource

January 30, 2009

Ed O’DonnellInformation and Library Services

Google Universe: Overview

• Asynchronous, online, week-long workshop

• Content created by Ed O’Donnell, Ryan Shepard, & Kee-Young Moon

• Offered in conjunction with Center for Teaching and Learning

Google U. Modules

• Introduction to Google• Advanced Searching• Google Scholar• Google Book Search

Google Modules (con’t)

• Google Earth• Google Maps• Google Images• Keeping Up with Google

Learning Outcomes• Employ Google’s advanced search features in order to

obtain more precise and useful research results• Understand the benefits and drawbacks of using

Google and Google Scholar for academic research in order to afford faculty a better understanding of these as possible research resources

• Utilize complementary subscription-only resources available from the Library in order for faculty to demonstrate their advantages as research resources to students  

• Locate full-text articles and books using Google Scholar and Book Search in order to demonstrate the research possibilities of these resources

• Explore Google Earth, Images, and Maps in order to demonstrate their usefulness as classroom instruction tools

Conference Postings“I certainly found more useful things in the databases--plus I

thinkit's important to challenge students to try technology things theymay not be familiar with. At any rate, that's the ploy I use wheninsisting that students use databases for research papers.”

“For my students, I tell them that the subscription databases workbetter for me, that it is a much better use of my time, and that mysearches are more effective. My students have to be efficient in

theiruse of time, and of course they want to be effective as well.”

“I think we may have to mandate the use of the library for sources,particularly scholarly journals, when requiring research papers

fromour students.”

Faculty Evaluation Examples

“Practical hands-on implementation of Google tools with expert

direction and backing-up of the instructors. I appreciate the

informed background information on history-strengths-weaknesses

of Google Scholar.”

“(T)his is an excellent stand-alone course. Perhaps, a year from

now, the instructors might update about new developments in brief

memo or note in the faculty newsletter.”

Thank you!Please visit our online library:http://www.umuc.edu/library

Ed O’Donnell eodonnell@umuc.edu