Google Tools

Google Search Tricks

Fri, 1 Jan 2021 01:00:00 -0500

Google Search Tool www.google.com

Google Searches: In regular search window: 
• Calculator Type a calculation (2 + 3 * 4 - 1 / 3) and press Enter 
• Conversion Tool Be sure to use the word “in” 1 mile in feet 1 cup in tablespoons 100 dollars in euros 180 c in f 
• Dictionary Define: your work 
• Weather weather Wichita

Google Advanced Search: Click the Advanced Search Link

• Search for PowerPoint Presentations  
• Search for Jeopardy Games 

Google Custom Search Engine
http://www.google.com/coop/cse/
Create your own search engine that searches only the sites that you specify.

Example:
This one is set up to search only the four sites shown in the image below:
http://www.google.com/coop/cse?cx=002915982925413064353:pjplbeppgt4

Student Accounts

Wed, 1 Jan 2020 01:00:00 -0500

Many of Google’s Tools require an account / login. Below are some options for providing student logins:*

Option 1:
Single Generic Student Login www.google.com (Log in or create account in upper right corner)

All students log in under the same account.
Note - think about having two google accounts: one for you; one for students to use. Create the doc or set up the tool using your teacher account; then share it with your student account. That way students won’t have admin privileges.

Pros:
+ easy to set up (Click here to see how.)
+ access to all google apps

Cons:
- no individual accountability

Option 2:
Google Apps Team Edition
http://www.google.com/a/cpanel/domain/new

If you have your own domain name, you can set up accounts for each student. (If you don’t already have a domain name, you can buy one at www.godaddy.com.)

Pros:
+ Domain names are inexpensive - just a few dollars a year.
+ Can easily create accounts and passwords from spreadsheet file
+ Teacher can control accounts; settings, etc.
+ Students have individual accounts; can track individual “posts”

Cons:
- limited to certain apps (Google Maps and iGoogle, for example, are not included)

Option 3:
Google Apps Education Edition
http://www.google.com/a/help/intl/en/edu/index.html

Similar to Team Edition, but managed as a whole-school domain.

Pros:
- Students have individual accounts; can track individual “posts”

Cons:
- Requires IT setup and support
- Limited to certain apps (Google Maps and iGoogle, for example, are not included)

Option 4:
Student-Created Accounts
www.google.com (Log in or create account in upper right corner)

If students are over 13 and have their own email addresses, they can set up and use their own Google accounts.

Pros:
+ Access to all Google apps
+ Individual logins / individual accountability

Cons:
- No teacher control over accounts / passwords
- More likely to be blocked in schools

✴ Important note - There is some concern and a lot of confusion about Google’s “over 13” age policy. I’ve been researching this issue and haven’t really found a straight answer...  I did find out that Google is required to have the “over 13” policy to comply with COPPA. In looking at the COPPA website, it seems that their main concern is with websites that ask for personal information such as email addresses from children under 13. So, one could assume that as long as an adult is setting up and managing the account and that students are not required to provide any personal information, a teacher is within the legal agreement.  Some schools, to protect themselves even further, require that parents sign a permission form for students to use read-write web tools such as those offered by Google.

iGoogle

Tue, 1 Jan 2019 01:00:00 -0500

iGoogle is your own personalized portal of information!
www.google.com
After loggin in, toggle between the iGoogle View and the Classic Home view in the upper-right corner. 

   

Read about iGoogle:
http://www.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=20324

Related Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pbf0dlESX8E&feature=related
http://www.revver.com/video/422324/introduction-to-igoogle/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USKnJNbM9-s&feature=related

Blogger

Mon, 1 Jan 2018 01:00:00 -0500

Want to create a blog to share your teaching experiences? How about an online daily journal for students? Well - Blogger is the tool for you!

Google’s Blogger Tool:
www.blogger.com

Widgets to add to a blog:
http://twblogwidgets.blogspot.com/

Ways to post to a blog:
http://twblogpost.blogspot.com/

Blogger handout for hands-on training

Google Docs

Sun, 1 Jan 2017 01:00:00 -0500

Google Docs offer a free collaborative word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation tool.

docs.google.com

Resources:
What are Google Docs?
http://www.commoncraft.com/video-googledocs

Classroom Ideas:
http://docs.google.com/View?docid=dcdn7mjg_72nh25vq

Google Docs Template:
http://docs.google.com/templates

Good to know:
+ Google Spreadsheets now allow anyone to view / edit without an account!
+ Google Forms feed directly into a Google Spreadsheet.