September 6, 2009

Everything Google

What?
Class time was spent exploring some valuable resources I didn't even know I had at my disposal. Or at least if I did, I had know idea the programs offered by Google could be used in such a way in an academic setting. I learned that in the program Google Docs several people can work on a single document at the same time. I also learned about iGoogle and how it can be useful for a future teacher. I learned that Google Calender is more than a personal calender and can be inserted into a website so that others can use it. I also found that Google Presentations is very similar to Microsoft PowerPoint, a program I have used on many occasions.
So what?
I think it would be best to go through the programs one by one and explain how why they are more useful than I thought or knew about. Google docs is a program I wish I had known about years ago (I don't know how long it has existed so perhaps it would be better to say I wish I had known about it earlier on.) I believe Google Docs will make group work a whole lot easier for the rest of my college career and it will be a good program to allow students to use when I am a teacher. The program iGoogle has already proven to be useful as it has allowed me to consolidate all the google programs I use, along with news, bookmarks, etc. into one page. This will help me with organization and keeping on task. Google calender will be a great way to keep myself the students and parents all on the same page. It is something I would definitely implement onto a class website. The other programs offered by Google such as Google presentations are great because the offer the ability to create documents the same way Microsoft Office does but they can be accessed with greater ease from different locations. (And best of all they are free!)
Now what?
So now the trick will be to take advantage of these programs, not just when I am a teacher, but right now. That way I will be used to them and will be able to teach kids how to use them the way I have been taught. Another benefit to staying on top of technologies such as those offered by Google is being aware of updates and improvements in the programs. I hope to use programs such as these and others in all areas of teaching and I feel it will allow my future students to be more aware of and involved in what is going on in my class.