Upcoming Public Courses
SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION
Can you connect the Indian
bullfrog to Pokémon in six steps? How about candy corn and Genghis
Khan? Online research is about getting search engines and other
resources to give you pages on your topic, but it is also about reading
for clues so you can make connections and draw your own conclusions. In
this class, we pick pairs of seemingly random data points and connect
the dots between them to practice both traditional information
gathering skills and a whole new set of literacies required by the
Internet. We will learn how to detect the differences among the links,
ads, and other information on a page; how to parse a web page; how to
distinguish data from ads and valid information from hoaxes; and where
to find kid-friendly information. This course will use kid-safe search
engines, but may also employ the popular engines commonly used by
adults, while providing the same level of protections that the students
receive when searching on any Nueva School computer.
Grades 3-5 M 3:30-5:00 3/1–5/10 (10 classes)
No class 4/5
Sposored by The Nueva School
650-350-4600 or NuevaSchool.org
DESIGN OUR OWN SEARCH INTERFACE
Okay,
you can find anything with a search engine, but have you ever wished
you could have exactly the search interface you want? Would you like
your favorite search functions right in front of you every time? A
search page tweaked to only find information on roller coasters? Come
and learn the advanced tools your favorite search engines have to
offer, and then play with simple code (or more complex, if you like) to
create your dream search interface.
Grades 6-8 Tu 3:30-5:00 3/23-5/18 (8 classes)
No class 4/6
Sposored by The Nueva School
650-350-4600 or NuevaSchool.org
SUPER SEARCHING: RESEARCH TOOLS FOR THE MODERN SLEUTH
Do you love a good mystery? Discover the search secrets that can turn you into a master sleuth. Finding information for your hobby or homework does not have to take forever. Learn how to search for sound information, emphasizing safe and responsible research. Take on fun puzzles, brain teasers, solve a mystery or two, and other challenges that teach you the tricks to find the right information efficiently.
Grades 3 and up W 3:15-4:30pm 2/10 (10 classes)
Sposored by Franklin School, Burlingame
SUPER SEARCHERS II--UNDERSTANDING AUTHORITY
This advanced search class teaches students about selecting qualitysources as they design their own web page. Be it fact or fiction,
their challenge is to design a page based on quality sources, and
meeting the requirements for a quality source itself. Instructor
approval required.
Grades 3-5 W 3:30-5pm 1/6-2/3 (5 weeks)
Sposored by The Nueva School
650-350-4600 or NuevaSchool.org
RESEARCHERS' WORKSHOP
This advanced search class gives students a chance to build on the
skills developed in Super Searchers in an open forum, where we tackle
the issues most challenging to them. In a roundtable setting, we will
work on such problems as finding quality sources within one’s own
reading level and iterative searching. Instructor approval required.
Sposored by The Nueva School
650-350-4600 or NuevaSchool.org
SUPER SEARCHING: RESEARCH TOOLS FOR THE MODERN SLEUTH
Do you love a good mystery? Discover the search secrets that can turn you into a master sleuth. Finding information for your hobby or homework does not have to take forever. Learn how to search for sound information, emphasizing safe and responsible research. Take on fun puzzles, brain teasers, solve a mystery or two, and other challenges that teach you the tricks to find the right information efficiently.
Grades 3-5 W 3:30-5:00pm 9/30-12/9 (10 classes)
Sposored by The Nueva School
650-350-4600 or NuevaSchool.org
SUPER SEARCHING: RESEARCH TOOLS FOR THE MODERN SLEUTH
Do you love a good mystery? Discover the search secrets that can turn you into a master sleuth. Finding information for your hobby or homework does not have to take forever. Learn how to search for sound information, emphasizing safe and responsible research. Take on fun puzzles, brain teasers, solve a mystery or two, and other challenges that teach you the tricks to find the right information efficiently.
16384 Ages 8-12 M-F 9:30-12:30pm 7/20-7/24 San Carlos Youth Center
Sposored by San Carlos Parks & Recreation
650.802.4382 or www.RecConnect.net
HISTORY'S MYSTERIES: ONLINE RESEARCH FOR THE AMATEUR HISTORIAN
History
lovers, here's your chance to go beyond the textbook and become a
historical investigator! We look at several historical msteries, and
learn new methods for researchinthem online. This course delivers
in-depth research skills you need to investigate historical questions,
ad gives you the tools to find information from which to draw your own
conclusions. Not only are the skills you learn applicable across all
our subjects at school, you'll really have a blast!
Sponsored by San Carlos Parks & Recreation
650.802.4382 or www.RecConnect.net
PATENTS--INSPIRING THE INNOVATOR IN YOU
Are you a creator? Inventors rely on inspiration, but they also need to
understand what has come before. Whether they are designing the perfect
push-pin, a trampoline room, or a software development framework,
professionals use patents as a foundation for innovation. Come learn
about the patent process: imagine a new invention, research the prior
art, and prepare your own patent application. You'll want to hold on to
what you learn--you'll need it for your future inventions! (Please
note: this is a conceptual class for building basic intellectual
property research skills, and should not be construed as legal advice.)
W 3:30-5:00 1/28-2/4, no class 2/18 Media Lab
Sponsored by The Nueva School in Hillsborough, CA
650.350.4600 or www.nuevaschool.org
SCIENCE SEARCH: UNCOVERING VALIDITY ON THE WILD WEB 6th-8th grade
Wednesdays 3:30-5:00 pm Mar 11-May 20 No class 4/8
Even before a scientist gets to the lab, another kind of research has
to take place. Secondary research is the bedrock of hands-on
investigation. The internet is becoming more intuitive all the time,
but trying to find valid scientific information quickly and easily
still makes it look like the Wild West. Come learn where to look for
legitimate scientific information and become acquainted with the tools
to help you find what you need.
W 3:30-5:00 3/11-5/20, no class 4/8 Media Lab
Sponsored by The Nueva School in Hillsborough, CA
650.350.4600 or www.nuevaschool.org
SUPER SEARCHING: RESEARCH TOOLS FORTHE MODERN SLEUTH
Do you love a good mystery? Discover the search secrets that can turn
you into a master sleuth! Finding information for your schoolwork or
interest does not have to be hard or take forever. You will learn how
to search for sound information as we emphasize safe and responsible
research. Come take on fun puzzles, brain teasers, and other challenges
that teach you the master sleuth's tricks to find the right information
efficiently. Be on your way to hassle-free homework in no time! This
course will go beyond kid-safe search engines to use the popular
engines commonly used by adults, and will provide the same level of
protections the children receive when searching on any Nueva School
computer.
Session I
Grades 5-9
M-Th 2:40-3:30/3:50-4:50 7/7-7/24 College of San Mateo Campus
Sponsored by College For Kids in San Mateo
Session II
Grades 3-5
Mondays 3:30-5:00 pm Mar. 2-May 18 No class 3/9, 4/6, 4/13 Media Lab
Sponsored by The Nueva School in Hillsborough, CA
650.350.4600 or www.nuevaschool.org
HISTORY'S MYSTERIES: ONLINE RESEARCH FOR
THE AMATEUR HISTORIAN
History lovers, here's your chance to go beyond the textbook and become
an historical investigator! We look at several historical mysteries,
and learn new methods for researching them online. This course delivers
in-depth research skills you need to investigate historical questions,
and gives you the tools to find information from which to draw your own
conclusions. Not only are the skills you learn applicable across all
your subjects at school,
you'll really have a blast! Bring a sack lunch/drink. $5 lab fee for supplies is payable to instructor at first class.
Session I
Grades 6-8
14325 10-13YM-F 10:00am-1:00pm 7/21-7/25 San Carlos Youth Ctr
Sponsored by San Carlos Parks & Recreation
650.802.4382 or www.RecConnect.net
Session 2
Grades 6-8
Media Lab
Sponsored by The Nueva School in Hillsborough, CA
650.350.4600 or www.nuevaschool.org
RESEARCH IT RIGHT
Success in school increasingly requires students to spend countless hours on
online research--yet schools are not providing the training they need. Research
It Right trains middle schoolers in essential skills to excel and enjoy research
while reducing homework time: framing research questions correctly, learning to
"communicate" effectively with online tools, judging the quality of an online source,
searching safely and many other critical tools.
Grades 6-8
M-F 1:00-2:30 8/11-8/15 Jewish Community Center of San Francisco
Sponsored by the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco
POWER SEARCHING FOR SUCCESS
High school students learn critical skills for success in high school and college
research assignments, including reframing research questions, building search
strategies, picking effective keywords, using directories and Boolean searching.
They are also introduced to expert strategies for searching the Invisible Web, finding
invisible conepts, comparing search engines, analyzing site quality, creating tip
sheets and more.
Grades 9-12
M-F 2:30-4:00 8/11-8/15 Jewish Community Center of San Francisco
Sponsored by the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco
If there are no courses scheduled in your area, please call to schedule individual and small group tutoring:
Phone: 650.922.7363
E-mail: info@tothepointresearch.com
