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This manual provides an overview of the Merlyn Web Search (MWS) feature and details the use of the feature.
Note: This is still a beta feature. This feature can be disabled through the Symphony Classroom settings menu, under Beta.
What is Merlyn Web Search: MWS feature will allow from the Symphony Classroom’s home screen for teachers to ask Merlyn questions, search for videos, and provide spellings and definitions. These questions will then be answered by a google search, and those search results will be shown in a browser screen on the Symphony Classroom home screen. This feature will not require teachers to pair their laptop. All searches will be conducted on the home screen display.
What isn’t Merlyn Web Search: MWS is NOT a full-blown browser on the device. Teachers should not browse the web, navigate Slides, or present lesson materials from the home screen. There are no bookmarks, tabs, or other traditional browser elements here. Users should not navigate to sites that require a login.
Why Merlyn Web Search:
This feature aims to achieve the following:
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Allow teachers to ask questions and access content quickly, without needing to pair.
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Bring more value to the standalone unit and Symphony Classroom experience.
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Empower students to interact with Merlyn and use Merlyn as an educational resource.
How to Use
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Go to the Symphony Classroom home screen. Your laptop does not need to be paired to use this feature, but the Symphony Classroom will need to be connected to the Internet.
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Begin using the feature! Start by asking a simple who/what/where question.
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Navigate search results using your air mouse only. Voice commands and other remote buttons will not work on the web search results.
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Ask another question, or click the Home button to return to the home screen.
Types of questions to ask:
|
Question Type |
Explanation |
Sample Commands |
|---|---|---|
|
Factual questions |
General information, will conduct a search on Google |
who/what/when/where/why/how/can/show/is/search X |
|
Weather questions |
Ask for the weather forecast in any location, now or in the future |
“What is the weather in New York City tomorrow” |
|
Definitions and spellings |
Define, spell, rhyme, and ask for synonyms |
“Spell Restaurant” |
|
Search in websites |
Search for content in the following websites: YouTube, Wikipedia, Wolfram Alpha |
“Search YouTube for videos of dolphins” |
WHAT NOT TO DO:
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Don’t: Use voice commands to navigate search results
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Do: Speak your command and then use the air mouse to navigate results
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Don’t: Go to Google Drive, PowerPoint, or any other presentation website
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Do: Switch to your laptop to navigate presentations
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Don’t: Play/pause videos or music using the play/pause button on the remote
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Do: Use your air mouse
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Don’t: Go to websites that require users to log in first
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Do: Search mostly in google
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Don’t: Search in non-google websites (aside from the ones specified in the table)
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Do: Search in Google, YouTube, Wikipedia, and Wolfram Alpha
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How to Disable
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Go to the Symphony Classroom Settings menu.
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Select Beta from the navigation menu on the left.
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On the Beta screen, use the toggle to turn Merlyn Web Search Off.