Google+Applications+and+Education

Google Docs: I can see using google docs to allow students to work together on a writing project. Also, I can see myself using google docs to post a note taking page for a unit I am teaching and allowing the students to add the information that they find to fill in the sheet. This would make note taking a whole group effort instead of just me presenting information and having students just copying from my notes.

Google Calendar: Google calendar can be used to list important events and even homework for a class. My current web site application for my district has a homework piece, so I'm not sure if I would use google calendar with my class, but I am finding it very useful for my husband and I to maintain our extremely busy schedule as we get closer and closer to our due date (this way he doesn't miss important appointments:).

Google Custom Search: Google Search Engine is awesome... I can create a safe search for students to have the information I want them to have in one place! I love this. I can see using this with research projects or even a place to create a search for eager children to encourage them to do some learning on the subjects being taught outside of school! This is great! Here is the link for the search engine I created on the human body. [|Google Custom Search Human Body]

Google Maps: I have used google maps to find directions to places, but never really thought about using them in my classroom. Now I can see that I could use this app to show students how far a place is from where we are located. I could also see using the app to show a specific location that we are studying in class. While looking at the map mash ups I really found the World Brewery mash up to be interesting. Not one I would share with students, but for an adult that enjoys different types of beer it would be a great mash up to look at and explore. I also found the Live Music near you to be very interesting. My husband I and are always looking for things to do and we both enjoy live music. This mash up is good for us to see what is going on in the local area. The link for the google map I created for my school district is located below. [|Cumberland Valley SD Google Map]

Google Earth & Sky: I really liked playing around with these applications. I can see using these to explore various places we are studying around the world. I really like the part that allows you to look at a place and get some history on it. This could be very useful especially when learning about Colonial America and you could go and look at history of a place during colonial times.

All of these apps create the opportunity for student engagement in the learning process. It allows for the students and the teacher to connect in a way that the students are comfortable with. It also allows the teacher to learn from his/her students, because the children often feel much more comfortable with the technology and can even teach you something.