This document identifies and describes Google tools that can be used to promote active learning. It discusses how Google tools encourage collaboration and are free to use. It then provides examples of how specific Google tools like Gmail, Google Docs, Google Calendar, Google Maps, Google Earth, and Google SketchUp can be used for classroom projects and activities.

1. Let’s GO with Google! Presented by Dionne N. Curbeam, M.A.

2. OUR OBJECTIVE By the completion of this session, participants will be able to: Identify various tools developed or owned by Google; and State ways the Google tools can be used to promote active learning.

3. DID YOU KNOW THAT GOOGLE . . . . . . is a play on the word googol , which refers to the number represented by the numeral 1 followed by 100 zeros? . . . was officially brought to life in September 1998? . . . does not allow pop-up ads on their site? . . . has a built-in calculator function, telephone locator, and address locator? Google Corporate Information

4. WHY USE GOOGLE TOOLS? Encourages collaboration. Most Google tools have automatic save. Users can access them from any computer that has Internet access. They are free. (There are some premium services that are at cost.) Information is not hosted on your server, but on Google’s server. Google has a partnership with several academic companies, including United Streaming. Many lesson plans are available to educators.

5. GETTING STARTED Create a Google account for self. Test the services prior to introducing them to students. Establish Google accounts for students Have parents and students sign a rule of acceptable use agreement. Ask the parents to create the accounts for their children. Create pseudo accounts and distribute to the students. Inform students about cyber-safety issues. Demonstrate to the students how to use the various tools. Check with your IT department before downloading software.

6. GOOGLE SEARCH Search engine to locate information. The page can be customized. Look Websites Information Specialized search for videos, images, news, and blogs. www.google.com http://www.google.com/corporate/tech.html

7. GMAIL E-mail is an essential form of communication in a digital culture. Project and classroom ideas: Setup a partnership with students at other schools, states, or countries. The students can exchange experiences via e-mail. Have students do email interviews of experts in a particular career or field. Email work to self for backup and external storage. Communicate with students about coursework. Reminders about assignments Daily or weekly tips (e.g., spelling words, math problem, etc.) Encouraging messages www.gmail.com

8. eBlogger This blogging tool is hosted by Google. A user’s Google account gives them access to eBlogger. Items from Google Docs can be uploaded to eBlogger. Project and classroom ideas: Students keep a daily journal for Language Arts. Have students become “content experts,” and they complete a weekly blog about their area. Host literature circles. Students can host an online portfolio. www.eblogger.com

9. GOOGLE DOCS, SPREADSHEETS, & PRESENTATIONS A service to create, store, and share text, spreadsheet, and presentation files. Project and classroom ideas: Online Writing Lab Group projects (helps to increase individual accountability) Cyber-Presentations Students without the software capabilities to create documents, spreadsheets, and presentations can do so from any computer with Internet access. http://docs.google.com

10. REVISIONS IN GOOGLE DOCS

11. GOOGLE NOTEBOOK Users can collect information from the web, organize the information in virtual notebooks, and share them with other users. Download the plug-in to maximize use. Classroom ideas and projects: Digital note cards for research projects (may help reduce negligent plagiarism.) Store information for group projects. Students can share sections in their notebook. Students can write home assignments and lesson notes. www.google.com/notebook

12. GOOGLE CALENDAR Users can create an online schedule of events and activities. Project and classroom ideas: Have one for parents to know about events (e.g., PTA meeting), assignment due dates, and tests. Establish one for students as a reminder of class information (e.g., project timelines) Students can create a time-management plan. Create a countdown for important dates and events (e.g., MSA Testing, promotion day, etc.) http://www.google.com/calendar

13. GOOGLE MAPS Google Maps provides directions, interactive maps, and satellite/aerial imagery of the United States. Classroom and project uses: Have advance virtual field trips (students map the destination, find interesting spots in the area – rivers, restaurants, etc. – and then do further research about the area.) Teach students how to read a map. Students can create exploration maps. Use maps to enhance curriculum. http://maps.google.com

14. GOOGLE MAPS PEDOMETER Gmaps Pedometer can visually map a walking route. Classroom and project activities: Students can develop a walking map for physical fitness. Students can estimate the length of a walking path and use the program to confirm their estimates. http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/

15. GOOGLE EARTH Google Earth is a virtual globe browser, which allows users to interactively display and investigate geographic data, primarily satellite and aerial images. Classroom and project ideas: Students can perform basic measurements (latitude and longitude, elevation, and size) Host virtual space trips http://earth.google.com

16. PICASA WEB ALBUMS This software enables users to organize photographs and post them to an online web album. Software must be downloaded. Classroom & project uses: Digital history project House photos of special events Develop a class index of images for papers and projects. http://picasaweb.google.com http://picasaweb.google.com/home?tab=mq

17. GOOGLE SKETCH-UP SketchUp allows users to construct 3D models of buildings, trees, cars, etc. It can be used alone or in conjunction with other Google tools, like Google Earth and the 3D Warehouse. Google SketchUp 6 is free; however, the professional edition is at cost. This program must be downloaded. Google often hosts contests for SketchUp users. http://www.sketchup.com

18. GOOGLE APPS All of Google’s tools available in a suite for businesses and non-profits. Limited services are available to schools for free. http://www.google.com/a To test future Google tools or go give them ideas, visit http://labs.google.com/

19. OTHER GOOGLE TOOLS Google Groups Google Talk Google Page Creator Google Book Search iGoogle Google News YouTube Google US Government Search Google Translation

20. Resources Links to All Google Tools http://www.google.com/intl/en/options/ Google for Educators http:// www.google.com /educators/ Google for Educators Discussion Group http://groups.google.com/group/google-for-educators/ Google Operating System (unofficial news and tips about Google) http:// googlesystem.blogspot.com /

21. Dionne N. Curbeam, M.A. Instructional Technologist Coppin State University Baltimore, Maryland [email_address]