Google is more than a search engine. You can do much more than just find information with all the cool Google tools that are available.
Other than the search engine feature, probably the most well-known Google tool is Google Earth, a mash-up of photographs and maps. It is loaded on your SBISD laptop and other district computers, so you will not have to download it to use it. There are lots of uses for Google Earth.There are Google images, Google videos, a Google news service and more!
For this Tool experience, the 11 Tools project managers would like for you to concentrate on Google Docs and Google Reader.
In another Tool further down the list, you will have the opportunity to explore Google Sites if you wish.
GOOGLE DOCS
Take this tour to learn more about the Docs and how to use them. The Common Craft video will also quickly explain the value of using them.
This video will give you some insight to using the forms included in Google Docs
Listen to educators who use Google Docs. They describe many ways Google Docs can be used for their professional needs AND for student products!
Atomic Learning contains some videos on creating and using Google Docs if you would like to have more information. (This will require the district-provided login and password.)
GOOGLE READER
The Common Craft guy Lee LeFever explains what a reader is. You will want to create one of these for the 11 Tools blogs you are following and any other online resources that update regularly.
You have probably seen the little orange RSS feed icon on many online resources. RSS or Really Simple Syndication is the means by which you can connect to online resources that consistently update their information, i.e. blogs, newspapers, news services, etc. If you want to learn more about RSS feeds you can start here.
Your Google Reader will make keeping up with new information really super simple! You will simply subscribe to your choices by adding the url (address) of the site to your reader. Take a short tour of Google Reader.This video will show you how easy it is to set up your Reader and add blogs and other resources.
For your Tool #4 Post in you blog:
1. Create one document in Google Docs and share it with at least one other person in your PLN. It could a team member, a department colleague, or another teacher with whom you plan a collaboration. It could even be a family member---maybe you are planning a reunion or trip!
2. Set up your Google reader and subscribe to at least five 11 Tools blogs that you will be following. You are welcome to add other subscriptions that you want to follow. Maybe you have hobbies or other interests that you would like to follow.
3. Briefly discuss how you think these 2 Google tools will aid you in your particular classroom or benefit your students in their learning process.
Note:
Please be sure you include Tool # 4 in your post title.
Please hot link any online resources you include in your post.
Images:
Google icon - screenshot created by VWB
Google Earth - screenshot created by VWB
Google Reader - screenshot created by VWB
