#5 Google Docs, #6 Google Maps and #7 Google Books

GOOGLE DOCS                 

I didn’t realise that Google offered so many products. I have really only used it as a search engine. Pathetic I know!! But thank goodness I’ve started a learning shift by doing this course! AMAZING!

I really see the advantages of using Google Documents to work collaboratively on a document . I had a play and created a document for my teaching program using a table format, then uploaded it and then saved it as a word doc on my computer. Its usefulness is in the ability for numerous people (colleagues) to be able to work on the same document and edit and change it with all being able to see those alterations no matter where or what type of computer each person is using.

This would also be a great tool to teach older students to use when working collaboratively on class tasks and assignments. It could be incorporated in classroom group work and also as part of home assignments in which students are asked to create one piece of work as a group. All could contribute yet edit and make changes separately for later and ongoing review as a group.  It would enable online discussion and co-operative creation of a task.

GOOGLE MAPS

I have enjoyed using Google Maps in my classroom previously but at a fairly simplistic level, just looking at locations and satellite visuals of certain places. I didn’t realise you could alter or customise the maps or add features to them such as symbols and images. This will certainly make for deeper learning experiences for the students (and teacher!) which I will indeed be using next term.

The “How to Guide” and other You Tube Clips on the various uses and capabilities of this tool are extremely helpful for new users. I will need more time to “play” with Google Maps, but will definitely be exploring in more detail the functions of this great application.

GOOGLE BOOKS

  WOW! Again an application I haven’t previously used. I had fun searching for some favourite books and where to buy them. I also enjoyed reading a couple of reviews to find another good holiday read. I then used the links to search and locate copies in my local libraries. My children were also very excited to look for their favourite authors and books prior to our next library visit. 

This will be good to use in the classroom to review favourite books and authors. Students could be introduced to this as a teaching tool, assisting them in writing their own book reviews. Also I liked the ability to read through the first few pages of the books which gives you a feel for the book...great to be able to do before committing to buying or searching for the book to use in the classroom (or personally for that matter).

 I also read some reviews about a recently read book which I found quite disturbing and I was very interested to read what others thought of the book and its implications. The star rating system was also an interesting tool for quickly reviewing the popularity of certain reads. I will be using this more frequently in terms of reviewing children’s books suitable for classroom use and also for recommendations for my own personal reading.

I created a “Personal Bookshelf” for later reference and enjoyed setting up a list of “Have Read” and “To Read” which I will now constantly update.