This week I tried something different with one of the assigned textbook sections. I created a Google doc with several main ideas and then listed a few bullet items beneath each. Students were asked to find supporting details from their text, the web, etc. for each of the ideas. In the end, we would have a single, collaborative document with lots of information. My original idea was to have only one computer for each question [...]

I have been using Google Docs with my students for a couple of things and have enjoyed the sharing and collaboration they provide. Today I shared a spread sheet and asked the class to enter some data on the document. It wasn’t long before I noticed the chat feature wan in use by some students. “Hooray!”, I thought. They can work together and coordinate a strategy for completing the task without getting out of their [...]

I like to think that am am pretty savvy with Google applications, but  after reading this post, it seems my illusion has been shattered. S.Pradeep Kumar has put together a list of more than 20 “awesome and unique” uses of Google Reader. I am sure that you can find some that would be useful for you. For example, if students are blogging, you can follow their comments by setting a specific comment feed. Tip #3. [...]

I had been looking for a reason to play with Google Earth more and I have found it – Scribble Maps! Scribble Maps is the quick and easy way to rapidly make and share maps! With Scribble Maps you can: Draw shapes and Scribble! Pace Markers and text Create a Custom Widget Save as KML/GPX Send maps to friends What I am most interested in is the ability to save and share KML files, which [...]

Are you using Google Apps? Personally? Professionally? Julia Stiglitz, from the Google Apps for Education Team, has shared 32 Ways to Use Google Apps. If you would prefer a PDF version, download it here.

One of my listservs just shared with me a resource called Flubaroo – a free tool that helps you quickly grade multiple-choice or fill-in-blank assignments. Flubaroo works in conjunction with Google Docs, so if you have an account, you are already on the right path! You can read the overview, and/or watch the short demo below. I just tested the script with a demo quiz and it worked like as advertised. I am not sure [...]

I have been working with a colleague to collect data on student reading performance. We successfully uploaded the Excel spreadsheet to Google Docs and shared the form with Reading Assistants for data entry. After an initial training session and some one-on-one work with the assistants, everything is working well. Once the data is entered, the Google Spreadsheet is downloaded, opened with Excel and merged with a Word document that is printed and sent home to [...]

Coming soon! Check out Google Docs Motion! and GMail Motion! -Happy April Fools Day!

If you have been following the development of Google Docs features then you probably have heard of the new commenting tool. As Google puts it, they have been” updated to facilitate rapid and seamless discussions and integrate with email in an intuitive way.”   I am looking forward to using this new feature with my colleagues. How will you use it?  

Looking for another URL shortener? Well, Google has one – goo.gl! This service initially debuted in December of 2009. As one would expect, for logged users there are URL tracking features such as history, traffic sources, referrers, visitor profiles for countries, browsers, and platforms. I just created one for this blog: http://goo.gl/vuhwe Feel free to click the link, even though you know where it will take you. I am interested in looking at the tracking [...]