Google Tools

Here are a few examples of the some of the Google tools I'd like to use in the classroom:

• Docs: this would be used to create slide presentations. It would also be used as a tool to help the children learn to upload photos, pictures, etc onto the computer. It would be used as an introduction to power point. I would also use google docs to create spreadsheets as a database to keep up with student info and grades.
  

• Picasa: this would be used to store, edit, print photos I took for the class and of the class to be used in class activities or on a website or blog.

• igoogle: igoogle would be a good place to place information in an informal way for the students to access such as games, news, dictionary, etc. I would make the igoogle page public so all the students could access it. I will also be receiving RSS feeds here.
  

• Google Notebook: this would be used to store ongoing work such as projects, papers, ideas etc.

• Google Search Engine: Of course, this is a tool that will be used constantly, not only for me as a teacher to gather information for lessons, assignments, projects, etc. but also for the students to use for research.

• Google Reader: this will be used as a news source and also to receive RSS feeds from websites that I follow.

• Blogger: I would use this to create a blog for the classroom as well as one to use as a way to keep students and parents informed about what is going on in the class. It's a great tool to use for communication, especially if the students can post to it too.
  

• Gmail: as a more private way for students and parents to communicate with me.

The reasons I have decided to use Google tools in the classroom are:

• They're free
• They can be accessed from any computer with internet connection
• They can be ongoing: adding and deleting information as needed.
• They are easily updatable
• Google is always adding more tools to their database so there is so much to choose from.