Five Googley Ideas to Engage Learners

Google has become a terrific teaching and learning partner to me over the years which is one of the reasons I was excited to become a Google Certified Educator (GCT). Now, one year later, I am reflecting upon my Fav Five (and freee!) Google educational tools and then I’ll give ya a peak into how they can be used to enhance classroom instruction.

Fav Five GooglelyTools to Enhance Instruction

Earth - Explore the world from your computer

Docs - Create and share your projects online and access them from anywhere

Book Search - Search the full text of books

Translate - View web pages or any text in other languages

SMS - Use text messaging for quick info about anything you can imagine

These are incredible tools with amazing educational value, but you’ve heard that before about other technologies, nodded your head in agreement but perhaps also wondered…how???? I’ve collaborated with some colleagues to come up with a couple classes that show exactly how these tools can be used to enhance teaching and learning.

Get Going with Google Research Applications class

In this class participants discover how various Google research tools can enhance their ability to use the inquiry process and build understanding. The Information Fluency Continuum is used as a guide to thinking about these research tools. Participants leave able to use a Google collaborative document to develop and share thinking, and tools to discover and create knowledge including Google SMS, Google Scholar, Google Books, Google Blog Search, and Google Translate. Here is an outline of each session.

• Session 1: Enhancing Inquiry With Google Research
• Session 2: Enhancing Inquiry With Google Collaborative Docs and Google SMS
• Session 3: Enhancing Inquiry with Google Scholar & Books
• Session 4: Enhancing Inquiry with Google Blog Search & Translate

Enrich a Severe Weather Unit with Google Apps

In this class participants become hurricane detectives and discover how to use Google Apps, such as Google Earth and Google Collaborative Docs, to support a “Severe Weather” unit of study. Here is an outline of each session.

• Session 1: Exploring Google Earth to Enhance a Weather Unit
• Session 2: Installing and Exploring Weather Applications on Google Earth
• Session 3: Using Google Earth Tools to Become Hurricane Detectives
• Session 4: Using Google to Create a Science Notebook
• Session 5: Designing a Lesson Using Google Earth and Weather Applications
• Session 6:Using Google Collaborative Docs to Enhance Data Collection
• Session 7: Conducting Experiments and Analyzing Data
• Session 8: Sharing and Evaluating Lessons Using Google Docs and Spreadsheets

Google Me at...
In this class participants discover and explore how they can create an active digital footprint that will impact how they are seen by Google. Here is an outline of each session.

• Session 1: Who does Google say I am?
• Session 2: Who do I want to tell Google I am?
• Session 3: Getting to the top of the Google results list
• Session 4: Creating an active digital footprint

*Note: this class has yet to be created. If you are interested in collaborating to create it go here.

Innovative educators can access all materials in these classes for free and use them to enhance teaching and learning in their own communities. If you do, or plan to, please comment here to share your plans or results.

Good luck in your Googley Goings On.

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Learn more.
Join the I Love Google group here.
Join the conversation about using Google Apps here.
Visit Google for Educators.
Learn how to become a Google Certified Teacher.
Explore Google Classroom Activities.
Learn to use Google Apps for ePortfolios here.
Read how about Digital Storytelling with Google Maps
See how CIS 339 in the Bronx uses Google to Build Professional Learning Communities.