Google+in+the+Classroom+3

//**Wednesday, February 6, 2013**//
 * ~ [[image:google.PNG]] ||~ = in the Classroom = ||
 * Professional Development Day **

//** Objectives: **//

 * Explore a variety of Google tools for the classroom that can be used across curricula.
 * Generate ideas how the tools can be used in your classroom.

= Session 3: Research =
 * **Session** || **Time** || **Topic** ||
 * = **1** || //8:30 AM - 10:00 AM// || Tools for Collaboration and Communication Across the Curriculum ||
 * = **2** || //10:15 AM - 11:45 AM// || Tools for Geography, Foreign Language, Social Studies and Math ||
 * = **3** || //1:15 PM - 3:00 PM// || Research ||

Google News

 * **What is it?** // *Video: About Google News Updates //
 * Google News brings together news from thousands of different sources from around the world and makes them available in a single place.


 * **Why Use it?** // *Video: Google News, More than Just Top News Stories - A Powerful Research Tool //
 * Students can use Google News to:
 * Compare and contrast current events from a variety of sources.
 * Find primary documents related to historical events over the past 200 years.
 * Access the news from their mobile phones – no computer lab required.
 * Teachers can use Google News to:
 * Personalize their news page to stay informed on topics they teach.
 * Search the news for stories relevant to a particular day’s lesson.
 * Model for students how to examine bias and reliability in the news.


 * **Instructional Ideas:**
 * Create a "The World This Week" photo poster.
 * Students compare and contrast articles on a single event from different sources - nationally and/or internationally.
 * Provide foreign language reading and translating material from authentic sources.

Google Search

 * **What is it?**
 * Google Search is the world's largest search engine and easy-to-use service for free that usually returns relevant results in a fraction of seconds. // *Video: Google Search Features //
 * Google Search Help
 * Search Stories: An Introduction
 * Search Story: Zack Matere
 * Search Story: Cheryl & Morgan
 * The Knowledge Graph
 * // *Video: Explore Lists and Collections with Google Search //
 * // *Video: Introducing the Knowledge Graph //


 * **Why use it?** // *Video: Google Web Search Strategies in Plain English //
 * Students can use Google Search to:
 * Research class topics.
 * Find pages similar to ones that are relevant to their school work. Simply click “similar pages” below a successful search result.
 * Search for images to use in multimedia projects.
 * Search the web right from their mobile phones.
 * Teachers can use Google Search to:
 * Translate web pages for English Language Learners.
 * Search for instructional materials in specific file formats including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and PDF.
 * Use Google’s “Safe Search” settings to restrict the search results on student computers. On the Google homepage, just click the small “Preferences” link next to the search bar.


 * **Instructional Ideas:**
 * Google Search for Educators - Classroom Lessons and Resources (including A Google A Day presentations)
 * [|Teaching Search in The Classroom] 54 minute webinar video posted on YouTube (//Watch @ home!//)
 * Fifteen Lesson Plans for Making Students Better Online Researchers
 * Use an inquiry-driven approach: When students ask a question, assign a student to search for the answer and share with class.
 * Try to Ace a Class:
 * Calculate anything
 * Get definitions
 * Search by file type
 * Find related pages
 * Get number conversions
 * Read Public Domain books
 * Hone in on a particular range
 * Search by reading level
 * Type in a query //@google.com//
 * Above your search results click on //Search Tools//
 * Underneath click on //All Results// and from the drop-down menu choose //Reading Level//
 * Click on the level to display the results you want
 * A Google A Day (game on Google +)
 * Create a Custom Search Engine for Your Classroom- Click here

Specialized Searches

 * Google Search now includes a specific search for apps for mobile devices! [[image:googleSearch_apps.PNG width="800" height="113"]]
 * Blog Search - Find blogs on your favorite topics
 * Patent Search - Search the full text of US patents
 * Finance - Business info, news and interactive charts
 * Product Search - Search for stuff to buy
 * Scholar - Search scholarly papers
 * Trends - Explore past and present search trends
 * Alerts - Get email updates on the topics of your choice

Google +

 * What is it?** * // Video: Google + A Quick Look //
 * Google+ makes connecting on the web more like connecting in the real world, providing new ways for students and faculty to find, share and connect online -- both inside and outside the classroom. It's a social network.
 * Using Google+ in Education
 * Google+ Help

>
 * **Why Use it?** // *Video: What is Google + and Do I Really Need it? //
 * Circles
 * 50 Google+ Circles Teachers Should Know About
 * Pages
 * Communities (*New!): 4 options
 * Integration of Google Apps in one place: search, calendar, photos, events
 * Hangouts (video conferencing)
 * Follow experts in the field, both people and organizations
 * Google in Education
 * Edudemic
 * Edutopia
 * Mobile app

>
 * **Instructional Ideas:**
 * Create a Google+ community for each class where you can post homework assignments, hold discussions, etc.
 * Create Google+ Pages for classes to share homework updates, the latest news on the course topic, or interesting ideas and articles
 * Use Hangouts to hold virtual office hours, or collaborate on a project
 * Use Hangouts to bring in speakers from around the world to your class.
 * Post discussion items and assignments in the Stream
 * Encourage students to comment on content you have shared to foster class engagement on topics of interest.
 * 10 Ways to Use Google+ in the Classroom

Additional Resources
Google in Education Google for Educators (wiki page) More Google Products 20 Technology Skills that Every Educator Should Have