What search methods and databases do I employ?

I need to expand my search methods I can tell already. If I want to search for something I use Google because I have had the most luck with it. At Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC) there are so many different search engines and databases I can use that sometimes I feel overwhelmed. However, I am using some of the databases that are designed for ESL students because they rate the level of English and the categories. Because I have so little time to search around for materials I tend to get frustrated quickly. Although at first glance some of these databases seem great, I often just get a short abstract or a lengthy paper that doesn't work as well. How do I determine the credibility of these search engines or databases? I guess I have faith in that the librarians have made sure that these sources are reliable and that makes it easier. I just started subscribing to a few new blogs like "The Edublogger", "Larry Ferlazo" and "Ted Talks". I am new to these so I am just getting started. I would like to spend time reading the New York Times blog since I read the paper every day. What would I do to teach my students? I guess I would start with one easy one at first and have them get used to it and do a survey. After that introduction, I would give them a list of blogs that might interest them and ask them to review a new one. I could manage this like a movie review.