Without a doubt, one of the most valuable accounts you can have online is a Google account. The sheer number of free applications that are available makes it a must have. Additionally, Google applications work very well together; are easily embeddable and work great with Moodle.

Check out why Google makes all of these tools available: The Google Philosophy

Using Google Applications is a great way to get groups working together in a fun and efficient way. You can easily share progress in real time with collaborators in a simple online environment.

Step 1: Create a Google Account If you already have a Gmail account you have a Google Account.


Below you will find a number of free tools that Google provides its users. Do not try to master them all at once, but once you learn a few, you will quickly find that using them together in the Moodle environment can be a powerful way to get users working together on real-world relevant projects.

Searching & Organizing Data

  1. Advanced Search; Who needs millions of links?







  2. Scholar; up the reliability of your results;
  3. Trends; What are people looking for? Watch how Google predicts outbreaks of Influenza.
  4. News; Timeline; Newsmap; News aggregators powered by Google
  5. Alerts; Have Google email you when it finds terms you follow;
  6. Insights; Interpret what the world, or just people in your area googles;

Maps

    1. Maps; Create/Share maps with others. Users can maps can be tagged in multiple ways by whomever is granted permission:

      View/Edit Web Tools Course map in a larger map (must be signed in to edit).



Applications

  • Docs; Test it out-You can also create presentations; spreadsheets; forms or load files. Users can be given rights to view/edit/invite others or own. When you embed a Google doc you don't have to worry if you have the most current version of a document in your course because there is only one document to work with. Students working on Google Docs or sites together will not have to worry about emailing work back and forth as they are all working on the same resource (at the same time if necessary). Google Docs also has hundreds of templates that you can search through and use. Building off of what already exists can be worth the time it takes to find new resources. Introduction to Google Docs

    Motion Charts can be added using Spreadsheets. This capability came out of some fascinating work with Gapminder-Unveiling the beauty of statistics for a fact based world view. Google has added another tool called Public Data Explorer that allows you to view data in meaningful ways. Teach Collaborative Revision with Google Docs. Classroom Activities
  • Sites-Create your own website with ease. There are a wide selection of templates available, and with a little know-how, you can even set up your site to redirect to your own URL. Even if you don't "know how" the Google Help Forums are full of knowledgeable users who are quick to reply.
  • Groups-Google Groups can be set up with various levels of permissions to collaborate or stay informed on group process. Users can hold discussions, share files, send mail, and more. Find a group related to your interests and join today;
  • Blogger-Create your own blog with ease and get posting within 5 min;
  • iGoogle- go to Google's homepage while logged in. Create your own homepage (with ease);
  • YouTube-You can create your own YouTube account with your Google log in. YouTube also has a little known about video editor here. For more little-known YouTube stuff check out the Test Tube;
  • Picasa-Photo Storage and sharing. If you use Picasa it is very easy to embed slideshows of your folders into other sites. There is also a downloadable Picasa program for Macs that will allow you to manage your images on your own computer. Face recognition also allows you to tag people easily;
  • Reader-Brings news from sources you choose. Don't waste time going back to websites to see if anything new has been added or changed; any website URL can be used to create a RSS in Reader;
  • Calendar-Share calender events with others, create multiple calendars. Google calendar can also schedule meetings by finding open times for users, and like other Google Apps, they can be embedded in your Moodle pages;
  • Books-Google's been working on creating an online library. There are entire runs of Popular Science and other magazines available. Check it out and build your own library;
  • Translate-real time advanced translating. Now in over 30 languages, this is one of the best resources available to your students who need to translate documents/websites.
  • Voice-Sync a Google number with multiple phone lines. Allows voicemail to be transcribed and sent via text, email or viewed in an inbox. Mail can be downloaded in an MP3 file. Google Voice calls are made over the internet so if you have terrible reception in your building, you can make the calls over a wifi connection. If you have an iPhone 4, you can also use FaceTime over the AT&T network if you have your Voice number synced with your phone. Texting is free through the Voice App. You can now provide contact information to students without giving out your personal phone number and the messages can be received and used in multiple ways. You can also make and receive calls right from Gmail (which you can record)! C'mon now, isn't it time you turned your laptop into a phone anyway?

Up & Coming

  • Buzz- The new Twitter/Facebook? Receive current updates and shared items from Buzz users that you follow.
  • Sidewiki- Anyone with a Google account may contribute information or comments to any web page.


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Last modified: Saturday, August 25, 2012, 6:17 AM