Tips and Tricks for Google Tools in Support of Teaching and Learning
Educators and students can use these powerful tools for research and collaboration in all types of academic work in support of interdisciplinary teaching and learning.
Almost every teacher is aware of Google; however, its power rests in its use as a search engine for text-matching techniques when searching the Internet. Of even more importance are all the tools available for use in educational settings to support teaching and learning. According to experts from the top rated essay writing service, the key to success is when teachers are aware of a few tips and tricks to maximize a tool’s potential.
Google Docs: Online Collaboration
Google Docs is a great replacement for word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation programs. This online tool allows real-time collaboration between teachers and students situated in a variety of locations. It allows online users, teachers and students, to share a particular document and work on it at the same time as others. Two tips for this tool include:
- Google Toolbar – drag the New Document, New Spreadsheet, and New Presentation shortcuts and drop them in the computer browser’s Google Toolbar.
- Desktop – download Google document, spreadsheet, and presentation icons and place them on the desktop of the computer being used by students to access Google documents.
See these additional strategies and techniques that help avoid issues when using Google Docs that often plague teachers and students when using PC or MAC computers.
Communication and Collaboration: Google Groups
Teachers and researchers from essay help websites can use Google Groups for disseminating information, safely and securely, with colleagues and other students online. Security is established through creating groups in which only selected people have permission to access this tool. Two tips for use of this tool include:
- Helping Students – be more effective with their schoolwork outside the classroom. Students set up their own groups and email lists of teammates, study partners, club members, or bandmates for collaboration.
- Group Work – online discussions and real-time editing make it easier for students to work together even when they’re not in the same physical location, sharing research findings, collaborating on group projects, and comparing notes on classroom lessons.
Notebook: Online Google Note-Taking Tool
Teachers and students can use this online tool for recording notes and links to online resources for working on research projects. Also, many academic essay writing service employees find this tool very useful for everyday tasks.The information stored in Google Notebook can be viewed and edited by others who have access to the notebook file. Two tips for this tool include:
- Teachers – collaborate with colleagues to research the best resources regarding teaching strategies and techniques in their subject areas. They can also use this tool for collaboration in developing cross-curricular activities or professional research projects.
- Students – collaborate with fellow students for the completion of group work and group research projects.
Earth’s Sky: Google Cross-Curricular Activities
Teachers can use Google Earth’s Sky for cross-curricular lessons involving geography, history, cultural studies, geometry, algebra, calculus, space, astronomy, and more. This online tool allows students to use real imagery from the Hubble Space Telescope and earth-based telescopes in their studies.
Eight special sky layers in the program allow viewing content such as current sky events, historical sky maps, and an education center which offers built-in content for sharing with students. Two tips for accessing Earth’s Sky include:
- Download – this software can be downloaded to school computers for student use.
- Web Browser Access – students can access Google Earth Sky directly from their web browser.
Google Earth: Cross-Curricular Activities
Google Earth provides a seamless view of the earth through the use of satellite and aircraft imagery. This tool allows teachers to guide students in specific studies using multimedia as a method for presenting projects. Also, it allows students to develop their own projects anywhere on the earth. Two tips for use of this tool include:
- Thematic Units – development of thematic units for cross-curricular activities to involve students in making connections in all subject areas.
- Science Projects – development of global warming science projects on which students debate in high school.
Search Engine: Google Search Tricks
The following are shortcut tricks when searching for information on the Internet.
- Blocked Website – get around a blocked website by typing cache: website address in the search window. The desired website address is the address of the blocked site that is used by Google’s cached copy to access the website.
- Tilde – use the tilde with a search term in the search window for finding results related to the selected search term.
- Definitions – find an online dictionary by typing definition: word in the search window to find the definition of the desired word.
- Timeline Search – type view: timeline followed by the term or topic being searched in the search window. A timeline of the topic being searched is displayed.
The possibilities are endless when using Google as a search engine or its tools for the support of teaching and learning. These tips and tricks are designed to empower teachers and their students when using these tools to increase their knowledge of global facts and information.
