Google Galore

I recently finished a Power Searching with Google class to learn more about the different, correct, and theoretical ways behind searching in Google. There are no right or wrong ways, there are just some better ways to get the exact search results you want more effectively and efficiently.

The class finished on October 10 but was free.  Check the Power Searching with Google class link above to see if they will offer again, but this web site also provides great information/tutorials inside searching on Google.

A few things I learned that might better help you and your students when searching within Google are:

Search by file type such as PDF, DOC, TXT, KML (Google Earth files)
Search filetype:
Example: filetype:pdf algebra
Searches for PDF files with the words algebra in it.

Search using the word OR (has to be capitalized)
Example: chocolate OR cake
Searches for chocolate, searches for cake, searches for chocolate cake

Search by words in a text
Search intext:
Example: intext:algebra math
Searches specifically for the word algebra within provided math web sites

Search by image
Drag an image from the internet or from your computer into Google Images
Example: drag an image of an unknown coin into Google Images
Searches for images of that coin and provides information about that coin

Search conversions and calculations
Type in an algebraic expressions, search for km to miles or ºC to ºF, search 2+2 and get instant results

Go ahead and try these out within Google.  More search tips and tricks are located below.

Provided by Google, October 10, 2012

Iowa AEA Online Teacher Lesson Plan Database

www.iowaaeaonline.org provides a Teacher Lesson Plan Database for teachers to search for lessons created from Iowa teachers specific to the different Iowa AEA Online databases such as AP Images, Atomic Learning and more.

You can specify the searches according to grade levels, databases (AP Images, Atomic Learning, etc.), Curriculum Areas (Financial Literacy, Science, etc.), Teaching Methods (Lecture, Modeling, etc.), and Standards.

More lesson plans are being added daily but they are pretty well written out and some even provide documents related to creation materials, assessments and more.

Interactive Drawing

I was provided a couple web sites that provide the opportunity for teachers to easily use their Interactive White Board (IWB) to draw but also provides the opportunity for students and/or teachers to interact with the same drawing.

A Web Whiteboard
To interact within A Web Whiteboard click Menu and Share and share the provided web site with others.  This web site also allows users to Save the drawing which will only save it as a PDF.

DrawItLive
To interact within DrawItLive just simply copy and paste the web site address provided towards the bottom right corner with others.  This web site allows people to chat about their interactive drawing.

Thanks for taking a look.

Google Search Features

Check out the link below to understand more about Google Search Features.

http://www.google.com/help/features.html

This is essential to understanding how Google can work like a calculator, can find information on medicine, can locate time flights and local movie times, local or distance sunrise and sunset, unit conversion, synonym search and more.

Google-Search by Image

Most of the time when searching in Google Images we search for an image we want to see or use such as bulldogs or bird house.  But what if you have a picture of an image on your desktop or on the Internet that you are curious about what it is, where was the picture taken at, or if there are similar images of that same picture.

Check out the video below to learn more about Google-Seach by Image.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=xEtzw4yuLw8#!

Google Earth-Additional Features

I personally don't look into Google Earth that often as I have no reasons to use it except for the once in awhile curiosity of what it can do or its additional features.  I did however come across a website for Google Earth showcasing its many features (new or not) that it has to offer besides just typing in addresses and "flying" to those locations.  

Google Earth Showcase

If you click on any of these Showcases, such as Ocean, you should see a list of activities/adventures/expeditions on the right hand side that you can look through.  Some of them even allow you to "Download in Google Earth," which is located underneath the video.

If you choose to Download in Google Earth, double click on the file that is downloaded and it should open up in Google Earth.  If it opens up in a different application, Control + Click on the file, choose Open With and locate Google Earth.  It takes you right to the activity/adventure/expedition.

Science Teachers use in the classroom

Ocean-Explore the Ocean SeaFloor

Mars-View images downloaded by Mars just hours ago

Sky-View constellations and movement of the planets

Moon-Take tours of landing sites

Climate Change-Explore the potential impacts

Hubble Telescope-Browse the amazing images or fly to them in space

Social Studies Teachers in the classroom

Historical Imagery-Explore Las Vegas or Berlin as it was many decades ago

U.S. Presidents-View their birthplace or see a progression of the states that voted during each election

UNESCO-Explore some of the world's most remarkable natural and cultural landmarks

Self-Guided Web 2.0 Tools Challenge

The HDCSD staff has been challenged:

I challenge you to to register for this Free 2 week Self-Guided Web 2.0 Challenge.  I did it over the summer and learned some things.

http://plpnetwork.com/2010/12/21/self-guided-web-2-0-tools-course/

"This self-guided course using Web 2.0 tools, such as blogs, wikis, Twitter, and social networking/bookmarking sites, will help you begin to build your personal learning network and prepare you for participating in a connected learning community as a whole. We hope you feel the excitement building as you take the first steps toward preparing for what’s ahead this year in your Community."

And if you feel like it is something you already know or it is too much, you can skip the activity, delete the email and wait for another activity the next day.

Let's see you takes on the challenge and learns something new.

Online Learning/Online Text Books

Below are some free online learning materials and online text books that could easily take the place of physical text books in the classroom.  The material is provided as to read through it online and/or read through and interact with video, questions, and other material online.  All of these web sites provide the opportunity for students and staff to save money with future textbook purchases.

CK-12 - Free easy to use tools for you, your teachers and your schools so that you get your learning done. (Matches to Core Curriculum Standards)
Opening Learning Initiative - Transforming higher education through the science of learning.
Sophia - What do you want to learn?

Help your student become better searchers

Take a look at this link for helping your students to become better searchers.
http://www.google.com/insidesearch/searcheducation/index.html

It has Lesson Plans & Activities, has Live Trainings, "A Google A Day" Challenges and a Power Search Course.

The Lesson Plans & Activities range from Beginner, Intermediate, Advance and includes topics such as:
Picking the right search terms
Understanding search results
Narrowing a search to get the best results
Searching for evidence for research tasks
Evaluating Credibility Resources

"A Google A Day" challenges might be a good beginning of the class activity while taking attendance or end of the class when some time is left.

The Power Search Course is an online course that runs from September 24-October 10 that you can signup for Free and personally learn how to Search better which will help you when instructing your students.

Iowa Core - 21st Century Skills: Technology Literacy Integration

Technology Literacy Essential Concepts and Skills

• Creativity & Innovation

Grades 9-12: Demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology.

Grades 6-8: Demonstrate creative thinking in the design and development of innovative technology products and problem solving.

Grades 3-5: Use technology resources to create original products, identify patterns and problems, make predictions, and propose solutions.

Grades K-2: Use technology to create projects, identify patterns, and make predictions.

• Communication & Collaboration

Grades 9-12: Use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.

Grades 6-8: Collaborate with peers, experts, and others using interactive technology.

Grades 3-5: Use interactive technologies in a collaborative group to produce digital presentations or products in a curricular area.

Grades K-2: Use a variety of technology tools and media-rich resources to work collaboratively with others.

• Research & Information Fluency

Grades 9-12: Utilize predetermined digital resources and tools to answer questions or solve problems.Grades 6-8: Utilize digital tools and resources to investigate real‐world issues, answer questions, or solve problems.

Grades 3-5: Plan strategies utilizing digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information.

Grades K-2: Apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information

• Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, & Decision Making

Grades 9-12: Demonstrate critical thinking skills using appropriate tools and resources to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems and make informed decisions.

Grades 6-8: Use critical thinking skills to conduct research, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate technological tools and resources.

Grades 3-5: Use technological resources to develop and refine questions for investigation.

Grades K-2: Use technological resources to investigate given questions or problems.

• Digital Citizenship

Grades 9-12: Understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior.

Grades 6-8: Understand the legal and ethical issues of technology as related to individuals, cultures, and societies.

Grades 3-5: Understand and practice appropriate, legal, and safe uses of technology for lifelong learning.

Grades K-2: Understand and practice appropriate and safe uses of technology.

• Technology Operations & Concepts

Grades 9-12: Demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology.

Grades 6-8: Demonstrate creative thinking in the design and development of innovative technology products and problem solving.

Grades 3-5: Use technology resources to create original products, identify patterns and problems, make predictions, and propose solutions.

Grades K-2: Use technology to create projects, identify patterns, and make predictions