Google Resource Links

To get you fired up about all things Google, we have created a wonderful collection of Google support tools and resources here:

• Google Docs for Educators – Introduction to Google Docs 
• Google Docs: The Basics 
• Google Docs: Tips and Tricks

• Google Docs in Plain English (video)
• Google For Educators – Google’s official page for educators. Has links, tips, and more.
• Google Tools for Schools – Tutorials, links, resources, and tips on using Google tools in the classroom

• Google Tutor - How-to’s, tech tips, and more on Google tools
• Guide to Google for Educators – Free 33 page guide on Google for Educators from Richard Byrne.
• Google Apps Education Training Center – How to use Google apps effectively in education
• 100 Ways Google Can Make you a Better Educator – Examples of how to use Google tools in different ways in the class room
• Google for Educators Resource Handout – Handout from a Google for Educators workshop
• Google A-Z – A Google Doc that keeps expanding as people add Google tools to it. Pretty much covers every tool and app Google has.

Why and How to Use Google in Education

Here are a few reasons why we should use Google Docs 

• Free (or really cheap for Apps for Education compared to Microsoft) and less IT support needed. Also runs better on older computers.
• Easy to use - students and teachers probably use some of it already 
• All work together - all the apps work together and have similar menus and functions 
• Cloud based - backed up on Google’s servers, accessible from any computer and mobile device, runs fast, no lost flash drives or corrupted drives. 
• If you need to do it, there is probably a Google app for it. 
• Engage your students with Google+, Google Earth, classroom sites and blogs. 
• Have your students create new projects with a blog or site, Sketchup, Docs etc. 
• Keep informed and connected with Google+, Google Reader, and Google News 
• Search more efficiently with Scholar, Safesearch, and other custom searches. 
• Get organized with bookmarks, iGoogle, Calendar, Tasks and more. 
• There is a huge amount of resources from Google on using their apps in education. 
• There is a huge amount of resources, tips, ideas, and lessons for using Google’s apps in education from educators. 
• Connect and communicate using Gmail.
• Collaborate on projects at same time using Docs (student projects, collaborative lesson plans, meeting notes and projects) 
• Docs eliminates need for flash drives, emailing versions, software issues (cloud stored, work collaboratively, export variety of formats, share online) 
• Google Voice - communicate with colleagues, students, email of messages, and more 
• Google Translate - translate work or memos for ESL students. Mobile apps will translate spoken word too. 
• Docs can be used to store any file - free online file storage is a great thing. 
• Use Sketchup to create 3D models for class, of classrooms and schools for remodeling, and more. 

Google Docs

Topic:  Google Docs in the Classroom
Skill level: Beginner

Google Docs is an easy-to-use online word processor, spreadsheet and presentation editor that enables you and your students to create, store and share instantly and securely, and collaborate online in real time. You can create new documents from scratch or upload existing documents, spreadsheets and presentations. There's no software to download, and all your work is stored safely online and can be accessed from any computer.

Getting Started with Google Docs--tutorial

Blogger

Topic:  Blogger—CATS Tracks
Skill level: Beginner

A blog is a personal diary. A daily pulpit. A collaborative space. A political soapbox. A breaking-news outlet. A collection of links. Your own private thoughts. Memos to the world. Your blog is whatever you want it to be. There are millions of them, in all shapes and sizes, and there are no real rules. In simple terms, a blog is a web site, where you write stuff on an ongoing basis. New stuff shows up at the top, so your visitors can read what's new. Then they comment on it or link to it or email you. Or not.

Create a Blog in Blogger--tutorial

Blogs in Education

iGoogle

Topic:  iGoogle HomePage
Skill level: Beginner

iGoogle lets you create a personalized homepage that contains a Google search box at the top, and your choice of any number of gadgets below. Gadgets come in lots of different forms and provide access to activities and information from all across the web, without ever having to leave your iGoogle page. Here are some things you can do with gadgets:

• View your latest Gmail messages
• Read headlines from Google News and other top news sources
• Check out weather forecasts, stock quotes, and movie showtimes
• Store bookmarks for quick access to your favorite sites from any computer

Set up iGoogle

iGoogle as an Organizational Tool