Netskills Training Suite
University of Newcastle Thursday
31st March 2011, 9.30 – 16.30

Google is collecting more data and adding more services all the time. For many people it is the place to start a search but more information and more search features does not necessarily mean more relevant results. Furthermore, Google’s automatic personalisation and semantic search all too often adds to the confusion. This hands-on workshop will look at the latest developments in Google, how it works, and how you can focus your searches for better results.

Topics covered will include:
* new developments and services from Google
* how to narrow down your search for more relevant results
* how Google personalises your results – help or hindrance and can you stop it?
* Google and social media
* essential advanced search commands
* Google’s specialist tools and databases
* build your own Google Custom Search Engine

You will have ample opportunity to experiment and try out the techniques for yourself and Karen will be on hand to help and advise you. Exercises are provided to help you test out the search features but you are free to explore and try out searches of your own.

Who should attend
This workshop is suitable for all levels of experience. The techniques and approaches covered can be applied to all subject areas.

Course Presenter
Karen Blakeman has worked in the information profession since 1978 and became a freelance consultant in 1989. She provides training and consultancy on social and collaborative web tools, and searching for and managing information resources. After graduating from Birmingham University with a degree in Biological Sciences she worked at the Colindale Central Public Health Laboratory.

To register your interest in this meeting, reserve a place, or request further details, please email meetings@ukeig.org.uk. Further details are also available via the UKeiG website at www.ukeig.org.uk.