Technology to Motivate Learning:

Using Google Tools in the Classroom

Amy Cook Dean

Arrival Activity

• Create a Google account specifically for the classroom.– www.gmail.com – Your username should reflect your professional

identity.– Do not mix professional and personal accounts.

Objectives

1. Create a Google account specifically for classroom use.

2. Discuss how Google Tools can motivate learning. 3. Explore and practice the functions of the

following Google Tools: Custom Search, Scholar, Calendar, Docs, Maps and Forms.

4. Create an assignment implementing one of those tools or apply one of these tools to an existing assignment.

Motivating Learning •Participation in an online learning community •Ease of use, access and collaboration•Content-specific ways Google can motivate your learners

A Few Favorites

• Google Custom Search• Google Scholar• Google Calendar• Google Docs and Forms• Google Maps

Google Custom Search• http://google.com/cse • Students stay within useful Web sites. • Post tailored searches to your blog or Wiki. • How can this apply to your content?• How could this help build a learning community in

your classroom?

Google Scholar

• http://scholar.google.com/• Searches only academic sites and journals.• Some limitations: some articles inaccessible if you

do not have a JSTOR (etc.) account. • Content-specific uses:

Google Calendar

• http://calendar.google.com • Share deadlines with your students.• Post your calendar to your Blogger page.• Students can access your public calendar from

their Google account.

Google Docs & Forms

• http://docs.google.com/ • Share Office-type documents with your students. • All handouts are available online AND available

from home – no more excuses about losing handouts!

• Potential advantages to your current system of redistributing handouts?

Google Maps

• Add points on a map and share it with your students. • Provides aerial and street views of almost anywhere in the

world. • Classroom example: Lewis and Clark

Practice and Application

• Design a class activity or project with one of the above options.

• See http://www.google.com/educators for more ideas.