Google Tools in the Classroom
Posted by Gary on May 7, 2009 in Excel, Language Arts, PowerPoint, Science, Web 2.0, Word
Nathan Hale science teachers Matt Hinkley and Karl Englert are always searching for useful technology tools for their classrooms. One of their favorites is Google Tools for Educators. Google Docs is one component of the Google Tools suite (Sites, Calendar, RSS Reader, Picasa Photos, Maps and more). Specifically, Google Docs contains a word processor, presentation, and spreadsheet application. All 3 of these are stand-a-lone applications but also integrate well with Microsoft Office. Also in Google Docs is Forms, an easy-to-use survey tool. In addition, they use Google Calendar. All of these are available with a free Google account.
Here are a few descriptions of how these teachers are using Google Docs in their classrooms…
Supporting Internet Research in the Classroom
Posted by Eric M. on November 26, 2006 in Internet Research, Word
In a recent podcast, Wesley Fryer compared the internet to a buffet. Food buffets provide a variety of choices, some of which are not healthy options. Likewise, the information landscape has an overwhelming variety of choices, and not all of the sources of information are safe to use.
Students do not naturally make the best choices about what web sites to use and how to process the information they find. Instead, they need guidance from their teachers about what sites to use and how to organize the information they gather.
There are many web sites that offer advice about what questions students should consider about the web sites they use. In short, they suggest having students look for evidence that the web site has a credible and objective author as well as up to date and accurate content.
I also recommend providing students with a template to record notes and citation information as they browse web sites. This Word document has sections for students to record citation information and thoughts about the reliability of the site, and a place to copy and paste text and images from the web site.
Recommended Links for Evaluating Web Sites
- Evaluating Web Pages: Techniques to Apply & Questions to Ask (from UC Berkeley)
- Evaluation Criteria: authority, accuracy, objectivity, currency, and coverage (from New Mexico State University Library)
- Kathy Schrock’s critical evaluation surveys (in pdf and Word formats)
Related File
Related Posts
Using Word As a Research Tool
Posted by LeAnn on October 22, 2006 in Internet Research, Word
Create a word document that integrates links to websites you have already previewed for easy access by students. You can also create your own Internet Scavenger Hunt.
Creating Diagrams in Word
Posted by Eric M. on October 8, 2006 in Word
Once you have transferred images from your document camera to a computer, you can insert them into Word to create diagrams. Use the drawing toolbar to create labels and arrows. This document shows the simple steps you can follow.
Related Files
There is 1 comment | Post a Comment