Google: What a World!

Prior to taking the technology class I am currently enrolled in I did not know much about Google beyond using it as my main search engine for the Internet.  As I discovered more and more applications Google offers, I was amazed by the practicality and accessibility of them.  I also am excited about the possibilities for students using these applications to make their school experience more meaningful and engaging.

I’ve looked at many Google applications such as: Google Docs., Google Notebook, Google Wave, iGoogle, and Google Sidewiki.  The application I particularly like is iGoogle.  iGoogle allows you to use and manage a number of useful and practical applications all on one page.  

What is amazing is that these applications are free while being so useful.

Please see my newsletter to read more about how iGoogle can be used by students to help them learn.

One downside to the Google Sidewiki that I’ve experienced more broadly across technological tools is the difficulty I had with accessing it.  I tried downloading it several times before I finally gave up and decided that I would need to seek expert counsel to get the application to function on my computer.  I am finding that a downside to technological tools it the lack of intuitive logic and background knowledge that one can apply to troubleshoot. It is as if these tools are written and designed in a foreign language.  This makes troubleshooting quite frustrating. 

Ultimately I am grateful to Google for providing such useful tools and I am confident that I will find a way to use these tools in my classroom.  I think I will find that students’ engagement will benefit from using such tools.