Google+Tools

**Just Google It**
Yes, Google is taking over the world (and your classroom too). Google offers a wide variety of personal, collaborative, and research tools - all free and accessible from any computer with internet access. All you need to use the hundreds (yes, hundreds) of tools, is a Google account, which you should have if you are taking this course. Here we will explore many of the Google Tools and Applications that are available today.
 * Introduction**[[image:google align="right"]]

Visit each of the Google Tools and Applications below. While you are exploring, think about which ones are your favorites, and how you could use them in your professional life. 
 * Discovery Exercise**
 * ======[|Google Docs] - you  can upload documents, presentations and spreadsheets or create them from scratch online. You can also make forms that you can embed into a blog or website and the responses will show up on a spreadsheet. ======

 media type="youtube" key="urrvY0YQWE4" height="344" width="425"

 * ======[|Google Earth] - Once you [|download] Google Earth on your computers, students can travel virtually to anywhere, including outer space. One great use in the classroom is [|Google Lit Trips]. For younger students, we recommend you use [|Google Maps]. For more ideas for using Google Earth, read [|this article].======


 * [|iGoogle] - you can create an igoogle homepage that serves as an easy to view (and access) RSS aggregator for all your favorite websites and blogs. You can include local weather, movie times, headlines, e-mail messages, Facebook updates...

media type="youtube" key="nAJ8x3JrD1Y" height="344" width="422"
 * [|Google Books] - Google Books allows you to view books in either their entirety or in limited preview, depending on copyright laws. Also includes summaries and reviews. Some books can even be downloaded. A very practical tool for educators.


 * [|Google Groups] - a discussion board program that allows you to moderate discussions between students or colleagues. You can invite members to private discussions and read everything before it gets posted.


 * [|Custom Google Searches] - you can create your own personal search engine that will only search websites you want to use. You can limit your searches from specific websites like National Geographic, online encyclopedias and other research based websites . You can even embed your custom search engine on your webpage.


 * [|Google Calendar] - an online calendar that can be shared with others. You can import other electronic calendars into your Google Calendar.


 * [|Knol] - Experts can go in and write articles on their area of expertise. Users can add feedback and comments.


 * [|Sketchup] - a software program that allows you to create 3-D models of anything you like, from basic 3-D shapes to architectural models.media type="youtube" key="30AiazQ7ycs" height="344" width="425"

media type="youtube" key="rskC6c_5L1M" height="344" width="425"
 * [|Picasa] - an online photo editing, sharing, and storage tool. You can easily upload to Picasa (especially easy to do right from iphoto) and keep all of your photos organized. Once your photos are online, you can invite others to view them, or embed a slideshow on a website or blog.


 * [|Goog411] - Googles new 411 information service.


 * [|Google for Educators] - a section of Google just for teachers. It includes helpful tools you can use in your classroom, as well as classroom activities.


 * [|Google Lab] - see what Google has in the works. The Lab Graduates section has many of the tools listed above, plus so many more...what will they think of next?

Create a Google Form that surveys others about the Google Tools they explored and embed the form on your wikipage. Watch the video below to find out how. media type="youtube" key="DCSKJavdglU" height="344" width="425"
 * Task**

Go to at least one other person's wikipage and fill out the form on their page.

Stretch task: If you want your students to use any of these Google tools, but they don't have a Google account (and they can't access it from school), you can still create accounts for them yourself. How to set up Google accounts for your students: http://www.screencast.com/users/courosa/folders/Jing/media/7c606039-4d17-4369-b99b-c467de708a36