1. Warm-up and Introduction (10 min)

·       Begin with a short conversation: “How do you usually search for information online?”

·       Write learners’ ideas on the board or shared Padlet.

·       Introduce the “Digital Detective” metaphor — explain how effective searching requires strategy, logic, and critical thinking.

·       Conduct a short interactive poll (e.g., via Mentimeter or a show of hands): “What is the biggest challenge when searching online?”(Options may include: too many results, irrelevant sources, finding reliable information, technical skills.)

·       Summarize key challenges and explain that today’s activity will help overcome these obstacles.

2. Group Task – Search Challenge Scenarios (30 min)

·       Divide participants into small groups (3–5 people).

·       Distribute or display 2–3 search challenges per group.

Example Challenges:

1. Find a PDF report on the impact of climate change on coastal cities, published by a government agency in the last 2 years.

2. Locate academic articles about mindfulness meditation for stress reduction, but *exclude results related to children.

3. Discover vegan lasagna recipes with cashew cheese that are not from a specific blog.

Trainer instructions:

·       Emphasize the use of Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT), quotation marks for phrases, and filters (time, file type, site).

·       Encourage experimentation with different search engines to compare results.

·       Ask learners to record:

1.        Their search query/keywords

2.        The techniques they applied (e.g., “used site:.gov” or “used filetype:pdf”)

3.        The top 3 results they found

4.        One difficulty they encountered and how they solved it

3. Sharing and Reflection (15 min)

·       Invite each group to share one example of a successful search strategy.

·       As a facilitator, highlight differences between surface-level and advanced searches.

·       Encourage peer learning:

o   “Did another group use a technique you hadn’t thought of?”

o   “Which filters or operators gave the most accurate results?”

·       Discuss the concept of filter bubbles — how algorithms personalize results and how to broaden one’s search perspective (e.g., using incognito mode, clearing cookies, using alternative search engines).

Adaptation Tips

 Online Delivery

·       Use breakout rooms (3–5 participants per group). Provide each room with a link to a shared Google Doc or Padlet for recording answers.

·       The facilitator can move between rooms to offer guidance, ensuring all groups are engaged.

·       Encourage screen sharing so participants can demonstrate search steps live.

·       Use a timer to keep the challenge structured (e.g., 20 minutes for searching, 10 minutes for reporting).

·       For reflection, reconvene in the main room and ask each group to present one search strategy. Use a collaborative board (e.g., Miro or Jamboard) for everyone to post “best search tips.”

·       Ensure accessibility by offering written challenge cards in the chat or via email before the session.

 In-Person Delivery

·       Distribute printed challenge cards or write challenges on the board.

·       Form small groups and assign each a laptop/tablet.

·       Move around the room to provide just-in-time support and observe group interactions.

·       For visual learners, demonstrate one advanced search on the projector (e.g., using site:.gov or quotation marks).

·       Encourage each group to document their queries and reflect using a printed “Search Tracker” worksheet.

·       Conclude with a gallery walk: groups post their reflections on sticky notes and discuss findings collectively.

 Hybrid Delivery

·       Pair online and on-site participants in mixed groups (e.g., one online participant per in-room group).

·       Use a video conferencing platform (Zoom/Teams) and shared documents (Google Drive, Padlet) to allow joint work.

·       Assign a group leader in each location to coordinate task timing.

·       Encourage online participants to share screens when explaining results, while in-person groups present via projector.

·       Ensure all reflections are consolidated in a single shared Padlet or document visible to everyone.

·       Check audio and camera placement before the session to maintain interaction quality.