Google Search makes it amazingly easy to find information. Come learn about the powerful advanced tools we provide to help you find just the right information when the stakes are high.
Daniel Russell is doing a free Google class on how to search the web. Besides six 50-minute classes it will include interactive activities to practice new skills. Upon passing the post-course assessment you get a Certificate of Completion.
Advanced search skills are not only a useful everyday skill but vital to doing scholarship. Searching the web is a superpower that would make thinkers of previous centuries green with envy. Learn to use it well. I recommend checking out Inside Search, Russel's Blog or perhaps reading the article "How to solve impossible problems" to get a feeling about what you can expect to gain from it.
I think for most the value of information is high enough to be worth the investment. Also I suspect it will be plain fun. I am doing the class and strongly recommend it to fellow LessWrong users. Anyone else who has registered please say so publicly in the comments as well. :)
Registration is open from June 26, 2012 to July 16, 2012.
Yes, for everyone here worried about text - it is available! However, beyond that I've been pretty unimpressed* with the course. So far it's been more along the lines of basic searching techniques. For example, topics covered:
1) Using ctrl+f
2) Refining searches with color choice in images
3) Auto-completion
4) Instant search
It feels more like an advertising program than a real attempt at turning us into search masters. TBH, I except that this will be more helpful to more people, but not that helpful to the typical LWer. I hope the later presentations pick up.
(*) Aside: I was going to use the word "nonplussed" here before stopping and realizing that I didn't really know what it means. Turns out there's a good reason for that: the two definitions for it that I got with my awesome google skills were: 'confused' and 'unperturbed'. Consider me nonplussed about the word 'nonplussed' - by either definition.
So far the units covered where "Introduction" and "Interpreting results". Isn't it a bit early to be complaining of this not being that useful? This is very much a procedural knowledge class. Since it builds on a everyday skill you shouldn't expect it to blow your mind, you should however expect it to show you two or three new things that will let you do stuff better. At the very least let them reach Unit 3 "Class 3 - Advanced techniques" rather than despairing at "Introduction" and "Interpreting results" n... (read more)