We have all used some of these tools in the classroom, but this guide is a great summary to spur us to use more.
Please consider sharing this site with your collegues, and incorporate into any technology training you do onsite. It might also be a good idea to put the link on your class web page for student reference. If you plan to use a new tool with your class, refer them to the link to learn something about the tool before class.
The video tutorials are on YouTube (another Google tool), and at this point teachers can not view them at school. SJUSD is working to change this, but in the meantime view at home, McCafe, Safeway, SJC, etc.
Here's the list of topics:
1- How to create a Google Account
2- Getting to Know Gmail
Getting to know Gmail settings
How to use Gmail email basics
How to use Gmail Labels
How to create Gmail Filters
How to attach files to an email
How to use Gmail search
3- Google Calendar
How to create an event in Google Calendar
How to share your calendar with specific people
How to share your public calendar on a web page
How to embed your calendar in your websites
4- Google Documents
How to use Spreadsheets
How to use Forms
How to create and use tables
How to make a drawing
How to create a presentation
How to create a document
How to create self-graded quizzes
5- iGoogle
6- Google Reader
7- Google Earth
How to record a narrated tour
How to put pictures into Google Earth place-marks
How to put videos into Google Earth place-marks
How to mark locations in Google earth
How to use Google Earth street view
8- Google Sketchup
Sketchup: Concepts
How to draw shapes
How to modify tools
How to create a chair ( as an example of sketchup )
Creating Sketchup models for Google Earth
9- Google Chrome
Top 10 Google Chrome Extensions for educators
10- Picassa : How to use Picassa
11- Blogger
How to create a blog
How to get a custom domain name for your blog
How to post to your blog from your mobile phone
12- Google Voice
Voice mail transcription
Number Porting
SMS to email
How to make conference calls
How to make calls from your computer
13- Google Search Tips
Google Search Tips You Must Know
Series of Google Search Tutorials
Useful Tips on How to Use Google Search
3 Effective Ways to Search The web
Great Infographic on Google Search tips
Google related search results
Google Custom Search
15- Google Books
16- Google Scholar
17- Google News
18- Google Squared
19- Google Sites
20- Google Alerts
21- Google Groups
21- Google Apps Education
21- Google Takeout
23- Google Accessibility
24-Google Play
25-Google Chrome
Google Collections
Summary of one way to set up Google Collections so students can submit their work electronically. It will work for all Google Docs, docs, spreadsheets, presentations, etc. Students can also use this method to submit .pdf files, .jpg files and many other formats. There are many varients to setting up shared folders, but this one is simple and efficient.
1. Each student creates a collection (folder) and names it something that the teacher and student will recognize. Perhaps like "studentname-teachername-period"
2. Next each student shares that collection with the teacher with edit rights. This is a one-time process to share the collections.
3. The teacher will now get a whole bunch of collections all at once. The teacher needs to organize them for their own sanity.
4. To do this, I recommend that the teacher make a collection of their own for the current year (like "2011-2012") then sub-collections for each period (like "Per1"). Then the teacher drags and drops all the student collections into the appropriate period folders.
5. Now the students' shared collections are all nicely organized. Each student has their own dropbox folder.
6. Anytime a student wants to share something with the teacher, they drop it in the collection they shared with the teacher, and it is automatically available for that teacher.
Google+ Hangouts allows video conferences with up to 10 participants at the same time. And now those participants can work on a Google Doc in the same window.
Next time you plan a collaboration meeting, ask yourself if it can be done on a video conference. If yes, Google+ Hangouts offers a free, easy way to do that.
Google Applications by Bloom’s
Kathy Schrock, an education Internet pioneer, has categorized Google applications by Bloom's- http://www.schrockguide.net/bloomin-apps.html
Take a look. Click on each tool if you are not familiar with it. As we incorporate more Google tools into class lessons, it will make an avaluable resource. Might even work as a colorful class poster.
Chrome Remote Desktop
If you want to help friends or relatives use computers, Google has a new way to set up remote control. It is similar to GoToMyPC, RealVNC, and others, except there is no 3rd party software to install. Just add the Chrome Desktop extension to both machines. Authentication is through Google IDs and no need to enter IP numbers, etc.
See https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/gbchcmhmhahfdphkhkmpfmihenigjmpp and https://support.google.com/chrome/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=1649523
Of course it's free, and it works on Mac, PC, and Linux machines running the Chrome browser. It is in beta, but it has worked fine for me the last month. I'm sure support for mobile devices is coming.
Give it a try, but remember it can open your computer up to outside control if you do not follow the instructions carefully.