What's All the Hype About Google?

Submitted by Deanna Stall
Integration Specialist
ESU 10

Here’s the thing.....Google is FREE!  (And we all like free.)  Following is information on the tools that Google offers for teachers.  

You will need to get a free Google Account at http://www.google.com/accounts. This will give you access to all the Google tools.  Upon your registration, you will have Gmail, the Google email application and iGoogle a customized page just for you!

Go to http://www.google.com/educator and you will find the main page for teachers.  In the left navigation column, click on Tools for Your Classroom.  Here you will find a list of tools.

Following are descriptions of some of our Google favorites:

Google Earth – Fly from one location to another on this three dimensional model of the earth! This downloadable program allows you to use Google’s satellite imagery to zoom in, find travel directions, restaurants, and attractions in major metropolitan areas.   Then add media such as photos and push pins with information to create your own lessons and scrapbook-like files.  Also see http://googlelittrips.com for files created by literature teachers to be used with Google Earth!  This is a well-developed product that every teacher can use in their classroom.

Google Notebook – Browse, clip and organize information from across the web using Google Notebook.  This is a web-based program with a downloadable browser extension.   Web-based means you don’t have to use the same machine for all your work.  The great part if this tool is that you are able to share your notes with others and invite them to collaborate with you.  You might be asking, “How can I use it with my students?”  You can create a notebook with web resources and send it to their Google accounts so they can add to your class discussions!

Google Docs & Spreadsheets - This is a web-based, easy to use, online word processor and spreadsheet.  There are no downloads involved.   A favorite piece for Google Docs & Spreadsheets is the sharing and collaboration feature.  Documents, spreadsheets, and now presentations can be created by as many as ten individuals on different machines at the same time.  Try it out during your next faculty meeting with another teacher or with a student team activity.  Great collaborative tools for all curricular areas! 

Picasa – Google provides this downloadable software to find, share, and edit your photos.  This easy to use software is a must-have for sharing photos through the web.   Others can then download the photos or order prints.    Save, share, and create web-embedded slideshows of pictures from class activities, sporting events, or field trips.

If you want to learn more about Google Tools we have scheduled trainings on “Google Tools for Teachers” on Feb. 12, 2008 and April 10, 2008. See ODIE (https://odie.esu10.org) for details and registration! 

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