Teaching the World to Search by Maggie Johnson.
From the post:
For two weeks in July, we ran Power Searching with Google, a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) similar to those pioneered by Stanford and MIT. We blended this format with our social and communication tools to create a community learning experience around search. The course covered tips and tricks for Google Search, like using the search box as a calculator, or color filtering to find images.
The course had interactive activities to practice new skills and reinforce learning, and many opportunities to connect with other students using tools such as Google Groups, Moderator and Google+. Two of our search experts, Dan Russell and Matt Cutts, moderated Hangouts on Air, answering dozens of questions from students in the course. There were pre-, mid- and post-class assessments that students were required to pass to receive a certificate of completion. The course content is still available.
Won’t be the same as taking the course but if you missed it, see the materials online.
As you learn new search techniques, consider what about the data (or the user) makes those techniques effective?
Understanding the relationships between data and search techniques may make you a better searcher.
Understanding the relationship between tool and user may make you a better tool designer.