Create a Custom Google Search Engine

Whether we are working with younger students, students with special needs or all students, sometimes we need to help them narrow or limit what they search using Google.  Setting a student who is not ready or prepared loose on the internet just using a search engine is not always safe or ideal.  We need to…

Basics of Google Calendar

Following the trend of the other Google Apps, Google Calendar is easy to use and very easy to share out with others.  You can create a calendar, which can be edited anywhere you have an internet connection, which can easily be shared with others using email or by posting the link somewhere.  You can create a…

Basics of Google Docs

Google Docs is much more than a digital word processor program.  It is a tool that can be used to increase collaboration, creation, communication and critical thinking.  There are features built into Google Docs that makes it much easier to have people/students collaborate one document without having to be in the same place at the…

Usage Rights Search Setting in Google Images

Images have become such an integral part of the learning process that being able to search the vastness of the internet for images that fit our needs has been great.  Using Google to search for images can be very helpful, but there are some tips and tricks that not everyone is aware of.  There are…

Google Video Chats

Google Video Chats are a great way to collaborate with someone or someones who are not at the same place as you.  You can easily start up a video chat, share your desktop or browser window and connect with people around the world using your Google Account.  These are private chats and are so easy…

Updated Google Spreadsheets

As many have made the transition from Office products into Google Apps, one area that has been more difficult than others for some people has been moving to Google Spreadsheets.  Google is very good about updating their apps and making them more user friendly while at the same time introducing new tools and features along…

Analyzing Google Form Data

There are many uses for a Google Form in the classroom to collect data.  Once you have that data you have options on how you can go about analyzing it.  There is a quick built-in way to analyze the data using “Show summary of responses” or you can go more in depth using certain functions…

Updated Google Hangouts

Google Hangouts has been updated.  The video below will go over the basics of Google Hangouts including how to get started and the uses for a teacher in the classroom.    YOUTUBE VIDEO  

Google Maps Engine Lite

The updated Google Maps tool allows you to easily create maps that contain any information you want.  You can create a map showing places you have visited, a map that contains information about certain events, or even a map that includes stories written by students and the locations that they took place.  The Google Maps…

Tour Builder in Google Earth

Google just released the Google Earth Tour Builder tool to allow you to create your own tours in Google Earth.  As a science teacher I have used Google Earth in many ways, sometimes just to show students where something is and how it really looks, but this new tool opens it up to even more…