I've taught Boolean searching from middle school up to university students. When I taught the concept to middle schoolers I had them stand up or sit down based on the boolean operator. Examples:  everyone with jeans AND sneakers stand up. Everyone with jeans OR sneakers stand up, etc. I think the visual representation helped them to understand it a little better.


Juliann T. Moskowitz 

Instruction and Information Literacy Librarian

Wahlstrom Library

University of Bridgeport

Bridgeport, CT 06604


 





 
     

   
From: CASL-L <casl-l-bounces@mylist.net> on behalf of Loretta Sullivan <b59lgian@mpspride.org>
Sent: Monday, January 30, 2023 12:19 PM
To: CASL_L <casl-l@mylist.net>
Subject: [CASL-L] Booleon search terms - do you teach them?
 
Hello everyone,

I wanted to know if you teach Booleon search terms (and,or, not) for more effective searching when using keywords?  Can someone clarify for me (I feel awful about not knowing) why when trying these search terms they do not always work?  Are they only effective when using databases vs. using a search engine to look something up?  My TIS and I were trying them in hopes of helping students learn these strategies, but did not find anything that worked the way we wanted when we tried them.  Am I missing something?  Thanks for your help!

Respectfully,

Loretta Sullivan
Library Media Specialist
Bennet Academy
Manchester, CT





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