Feb 01 2009
Kid Rex Search Engine
I recently learned about the Kid Rex search engine from the Alt Search Engines blog. It’s supposed to be a “kid-friendly” search engine.
I was actually pretty impressed when I tested it out on a few queries (Abraham Lincoln, Roman Gladiator). The results that it delivered were accessible to Intermediate English Language Learners.
The results are text-only, so it’s not as good as some of the search engines on The Best Search Engines For ESL/EFL Learners — 2008 list that provide thumbnail images, but its selective listing does make it a decent option for students.
I’ve placed the link on my website under Search Engines.
3 responses so far
Create a free edublog to get your own comment avatar (and more!)
I wasn’t crazy about all the Google ads that came with the search results. I believe kids would be clicking the ads instead of the results. Kids smart enough to distinguish can probably handle the more advanced browser, or Google itself with strict security settings (which is what the site says it uses).
[Reply]
[...] engine for kids, with child-oriented search results at the intermediate reading level. Thanks to Larry Ferlazzo for the lead on it. Share and [...]
I like the idea of a kid-specific search guide but worry that it may not properly prepare students for doing research on their own or at higher grade levels where they will be left to their own devices. I think an approach that mirrors traditional search engines but skips the trash and ads could and would work to the benefit of a student more than one that tries to be too kid-centric.. I’ve seen a recent example with http://www.sweetsearch.com that seems to capture that real world research experience without the filler.
Thanks and keep up the good work.
[Reply]