And More...
There are more Google Tools?
As you already know, Google is just about searching - or about Docs, Sites, Calendar - well, you get the point. Google provides a large number of free products to its users. Let's look at a few more that have specific educational uses.
Google Maps
Chances are you have used Google Maps to search for directions on your computer or phone (both iPhone and Android phones use Google Maps). But, directions just scratch the surface of the power of Google Maps. Google allows individuals to create customized maps (with pins, lines, and more) and gives programmers access to the data so they can create mash-up applications that utilize the maps - all for free!
Here are some resources to explore if you are interested in Google Maps in your classroom:
- Google Maps Official Support Page
- Google Maps for Educators - A How To Guide - An excellent resource with step-by-steps instructions.
- Google Maps Mania - A blog dedicated to interesting uses of Google Maps
- HyperCities - Historical maps overlayed on a Google Map
- Tripline / MapVivo / EverLater - Websites that use a Google Map with blogs, picture albums, and videos to record a vacation or historical journey.
- Creating Map Locations from Spreadsheet Data
Google Groups
If you want to extend the discussion beyond the classroom walls, the tool to use if Google Groups. It is part of Google Apps, easy to use, and you can now embed it into your Google Sites website - so while it is a separate service, it seems like it is part of it.
Groups resources:
Picasa Web Albums (Soon to be called Google Photo)
Need a way to share pictures? Or do you want to create a slide show of photos taken in class? Picasa Web Albums is the tool for you! You can even have a shared album where students can upload images.
Now there is also a client (iPhoto-like) that you may or may not want to use, but it can connect easily to the web albums.
Picasa Web Resources: