This document lists 10 Google tools that the author finds useful as a teacher. They include Google Calendar for accessing school schedules from anywhere, the school year calendar for lesson planning, adding video to presentations, Google Docs templates for student assignments, Google Groups for communicating with students and parents, Google SMS for contacting people, consolidating email accounts, Google Scholar for education research, iGoogle for a customized homepage and gadgets, and Google Images for finding images for lessons.

1. My Top Ten
Google Tips
by Teresa Koons

2. # 10 Google Calendar
In the number 10 position I have chosen
Google Calendar. School related dates
are always on my desk calendar but often
I need that information elsewhere. More
than once I have been out and a parent
ask a question about an upcoming event.
With Google Calendar the information can
be accessible by checking my Google
account.

3. #9 School Year Calendar
Staying organized with access to the
school calendar is very helpful to me. I
often work from home preparing lesson
plans and making plans for future events.
The school year calendar allows me to
find the information I need in a flash.

4. #8 Adding Video With
Google Presentations
Adding video to a slide presentation is a plus
for teachers that want to incorporate video
clips that better illustrate the lesson.

5. #7 Google Docs Templates
The Google Docs Templates make it easy to
prepare presentations, documents, and
spreadsheets. The application is so easy
that your students can easily master. Often
students have access to a computer with an
internet connection but do not have
expensive software like Powerpoint. Google
Docs Templates make assigning
presentations that much easier.

6. #6 Google Groups
Using Google Groups I can set up a place
where I can safely and securely
communicate with my students. With the
Google Groups I can share information with
my students and improve communication
with their parents. The group can be private
or can be published.

7. #5 Google SMS
Application for your Phone
I use this application all the time to find
numbers and addresses. It is easy to use,
text message to Google (466453) the name
of a person or establishment and you will
receive the information back in a text. This
comes in handy when you need to contact a
parent but do not have their number
available.

8. #4 Consolidate Email
Accounts
My grandson thinks I am in the dark ages
because I still have an AOL email account.
Now that I have been introduced to all the
potential of Google and its applications I
tend to agree. This application provides a
centralized location where you can send and
receive email from other accounts. What a
timesaver and I am being a teacher I am
wild about anything that saves me time.

9. #3 Google Scholar
This Google search is new to me but has
quickly become one of my favorite. If I have
heard research driven once, I have heard it
thousands of times over the past 9 years
that I have taught. I have found this a quick
and easy way to find research about what is
new in education.

10. iGoogle
Having a place to keep all of the useful
content that you collect and consolidate it all
in one place. What an idea, iGoogle gives
you that with your own customized
homepage. With gadgets like calendars,
maps, weather, and to do lists this
application can keep both you and your
students organized.

11. Google Images
I know this seems simple but as you have
always heard, a picture says 1000 words. I
can't tell you how often I use this application
to find images for presentations. I want my
students to see, hear, and touch the what I
am teaching. Google Images provide me
with an endless selection of images.