·
Use “Boolean Searching” handout
·
This
lesson explains Boolean Logic using the class of students as a set.
1.
Define
Boolean searching and Boolean operators as given on handout.
2.
Give
simple explanation and use Venn diagram to introduce the operator OR.
3.
Ask
students to raise a hand if he/she has blue eyes, and record number of hands
raised. Do the same for brown eyes.
4.
Demonstrate
OR by asking students with blue eyes or brown eyes to raise hands.
Explain that “OR gives you more.”
5.
Repeat
for the operators AND and NOT.
·
Use “Boolean Operators Search Examples” handout
·
This
lesson uses an online service, library catalog, or search engine to show number
of hits received for keywords and Boolean phrases.
1.
Choose an
online service, such as EBSCO, an online library catalog, or search engine that
displays number of hits (articles, web pages, books) retrieved for searches.
Students tend to understand a source with fewer hits a bit better.
2.
Ask
students to fill in handout as you demonstrate searches on a computer and
projector.
3.
Use
actual numbers of hits to prove that fewer and greater numbers result from
Boolean searching.
4.
Searches
that have worked well for me include:
JFK OR John F. Kennedy
JFK AND assassination
JFK NOT Oliver Stone
Teens OR teenagers
Teens AND detention
Detention NOT school
created by Michelle Glatt, Librarian, Chiddix Junior High School, Normal, Illinois