Not So Distant Future

   I’ve noticed more students using Cha-Cha lately, which is a search engine with a twist.

You can search yourself, or search “with a guide.”  When you search with a guide, a chat window comes up and the guide immediately starts completing the search.  As they find results they post them on the screen, and you can chat with them as they look or clarify your search.

It’s easy to use, though I found the results faster myself than with the guide.  But I think perhaps students like the idea of having the live help during their search.  I’ll be interested to see if this tool takes off.