Difference between revisions of "Google Apps"

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[[Image:GoogleApps.jpg]]
 
== What is Google Apps?  ==
 
== What is Google Apps?  ==
  
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From the people who brought you the [http://www.google.com/ Google search engine], [http://www.google.com/apps/ Google Apps] is a suite of web 2.0 applications developed by Google. These tools can help you get better organized and stay in touch with colleagues, family and friends. Some of the more popular applications from Google Apps are [http://www.gmail.com/#utm_medium=et&utm_source=catch_all Gmail], [http://www.google.com/calendar/#utm_medium=et&utm_source=catch_all Google Calendar], [http://www.google.com/talk/#utm_medium=et&utm_source=catch_all Google Talk], [http://www.google.com/docs/#utm_medium=et&utm_source=catch_all Google Docs] and [http://www.google.com/sites/#utm_medium=et&utm_source=catch_all Google Sites]. See [http://www.google.com/intl/en/options/#utm_medium=et&utm_source=catch_all the full list of Google Apps here]. Also, Google continues to create new apps - you can explore these Google experiments at [http://www.googlelabs.com/ Google Labs].
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From the people who brought you the [http://www.google.com/ Google search engine], [http://www.google.com/apps/ Google Apps] is a suite of web 2.0 applications "for communication and collaboration" developed by Google. These tools can help you get better organized and stay in touch with colleagues, family, and friends. Some of the more popular applications from Google Apps are [http://www.gmail.com/#utm_medium=et&utm_source=catch_all Gmail], [http://www.google.com/calendar/#utm_medium=et&utm_source=catch_all Google Calendar], [http://www.google.com/talk/#utm_medium=et&utm_source=catch_all Google Talk], [http://www.google.com/docs/#utm_medium=et&utm_source=catch_all Google Docs], [http://www.google.com/sites/#utm_medium=et&utm_source=catch_all Google Sites] and [http://www.google.com/reader/ Google Reader]. See [http://www.google.com/intl/en/options/#utm_medium=et&utm_source=catch_all the full list of Google Apps here]. Also, Google continues to create new apps - you can explore these Google experiments at [http://www.googlelabs.com/ Google Labs]. The Standard Edition of the Google Apps is free, but if you need more storage, there is a Premium Edition that costs $50/yr. Additionally, a free Education Edition is available for educational institutions.
  
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Data tagging allows users to organize information more efficiently by associating pieces of information (websites or photos, for example) with '''tags''', or keywords. What is a tag? [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tag_(metadata) According to Wikipedia], "a tag is a non-hierarchical keyword or term assigned to a piece of information (such as an internet bookmark, digital image, or computer file). This kind of metadata helps describe an item and allows it to be found again by browsing or searching. Tags are chosen informally and personally by the item's creator or by its viewer, depending on the system."
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*[http://www.gmail.com/#utm_medium=et&utm_source=catch_all Gmail] is Google's '''email client'''. Gmail provides users with much more free storage space than competing email clients, has a very good spam filter, and allows users to search their email. If you aren't sold on Gmail's features yet, read [http://mail.google.com/mail/help/about.html 10 Reasons to Use Gmail]. Also, watch [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JJDugn4RoQ this video overview] to find out how Gmail will help make you more productive. For more specific Gmail questions, check out [http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=8A0C9023238F7724 this playlist of how-to videos] from the creators of Gmail.
  
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*[http://www.google.com/calendar/#utm_medium=et&utm_source=catch_all Google Calendar] is Google's online '''time-management application'''. Google Calendar allows users to store and share their schedules online. Read [http://www.google.com/intl/en/googlecalendar/about.html 7 Reasons to Use Google Calendar] to find out more. For more specific Google Calendar questions, check out [http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=86393B62706987AD this playlist of how-to videos].
  
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Two popular ways to use data tagging are '''social bookmarking''' and '''photo sharing'''.  
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*[http://www.google.com/talk/ Google Talk] is Google's '''text and voice chat client'''. With Google Talk, you can instant message, do free PC-to-PC voice chat, send and receive voicemails, and transfer files to your contacts. Here's a short [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPTP3rXKHvc video introduction to Google Talk].
  
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With the social bookmarking site [http://delicious.com/ Delicious], you can save and organize your bookmarks online and share them with others (hence "social" bookmarking). Watch [http://www.commoncraft.com/bookmarking-plain-english this short Common Craft video] and read Educause's "[http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI7001.pdf 7 Things You Should Know About Social Bookmarking]" to learn more about social bookmarking with Delicious.
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*[http://www.google.com/docs/#utm_medium=et&utm_source=catch_all Google Docs] is Google's '''word processing application'''. It allows users to create, store, and share documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and forms online. [http://www.google.com/google-d-s/tour1.html Take a tour] of Google Docs.
  
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The photo sharing site [http://www.flickr.com/ Flickr] allows users to upload photos, organize them by tagging, annotate them, and share them. It's also works great as a storage space to backup your photo collection. To find out more about Flickr, watch [http://www.commoncraft.com/photosharing the Common Craft video] and read Educause's "[http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI7034.pdf 7 Things You Should Know About Flickr]."
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*[http://www.google.com/sites/#utm_medium=et&utm_source=catch_all Google Sites] is Google's '''wiki application'''. With Google Sites, users can create websites and group wikis. [http://www.google.com/sites/help/intl/en/overview.html See an overview here] that contains some example sites.
  
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*[http://www.google.com/reader/ Google Reader] is Google's '''RSS feed aggregator'''. Users can subscribe to feeds from blogs, news sites, or any other site with an RSS feed, to stay up-to-date. [http://www.google.com/help/reader/tour.html Take a tour] of Google Reader. Watch [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvKFP67GwSY Getting Started with Google Reader] to see how it works.
  
  
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Here are some ideas for using data tagging applications in the classroom:  
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Here are some ideas for using Google Apps in the classroom:  
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*create a central storage place for course-related bookmarks with Delicious
 
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*find authentic photos for use in the classroom by exploring Flickr tags and saving photos you like as favorites
 
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*share travel photos with friends, family and colleagues back home
 
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*find users with similar interests and keep in touch by adding them to your network (Delicious) or contacts (Flickr)
 
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*keep track of images for use in teaching through tagging, making them easier to find
 
  
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*Change the language of any of the Google Apps to help foreign language students practice using their target language
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*Create a course website with Google Sites
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*Use Google Talk to facilitate interaction with scholars and native speakers
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*Have students set up a Google Reader account to keep track of relevant sites
  
 
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== Where can I get started data tagging?  ==
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== Where can I get started using Google Apps?  ==
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[http://www.flickr.com/ Flickr] - a popular image hosting site; basic accounts (up to 200 photos) are free
 
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[http://www.flickr.com/places/ Flickr:Places] - browse images by geotags to find interesting photos taken in a particular location
 
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[http://picasa.google.com/ Picasa] - free image editing software from Google that allows tagging and sharing
 
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[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rskC6c_5L1M Introducing Picasa 3] - watch this to see the features Picasa has to offer
 
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[http://delicious.com/ Delicious] - a social bookmarking website that helps you store, organize, share, and discover bookmarks
 
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[http://www.diigo.com/ Diigo] - another social bookmarking website with emphasis on annotating for research purposes
 
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[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RvAkTuL02A Diigo V3: Highlight & Share the Web! Social Bookmarking 2.0] - a demo video for Diigo
 
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== Where can I see how others are using data tagging?  ==
 
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[http://www.slideshare.net/michaelc/teaching-with-flickr-presentation Teaching With Flickr] - presentation with lots of great ideas on how to use Flickr, especially in language teaching
 
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[http://teachingwithflickr.wikispaces.com/ Teaching With Flickr wiki] - the companion wiki to the presentation above
 
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[http://blogs.ibo.org/opls/2007/09/10/teaching-and-learning-with-flickr/ Teaching and Learning With Flickr] - great collection of links from Lee Davis related to using Flickr in teaching
 
  
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[http://esl.about.com/od/conversationlessonplans/a/l_flickr.htm Using Flickr For Language Classes] - lesson plans
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[http://services.google.com/apps/resources/overviews/welcome/topicWelcome/index.html Google Apps Training] - Take this tutorial to get acquainted with the various features of Google Apps
  
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[http://www.flickr.com/photos/cogdog/265279980/ What Can We Do With Flickr?] - uses of Flickr
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[http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI7035.pdf 7 Things You Should Know About Google Apps] - From the EDUCAUSE series
  
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[http://www.flickr.com/photos/chudo-ostrov Edie Furniss's Flickr photos] - photos from Russia
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[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRqUE6IHTEA Google Docs in Plain English] - Introduction from Common Craft
  
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[http://wrecking.org/cbd/2006/02/05/delicious-and-teaching/ Delicious and Teaching] - informative blog entry about how one teacher used Delicious to organize course readings
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== Where can I see how others are using Google Apps?  ==
  
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[http://blog.jonudell.net/2007/12/12/discovering-versus-teaching-principles-of-social-information-management/ Discovering Versus Teaching Principles of Social Information Management] - more uses for Delicious
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[http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=F75FFEC752E33053 Testimonials from schools and universities] - Find out how educators across the country are using Google Apps Education Edition
  
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[http://delicious.com/furnisse Edie Furniss's del.ici.ous bookmarks] - Bookmarks for sites related to Russian language and culture and using technology in teaching
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[http://www.google.com/educators/activities.html Google for Educators: Classroom Activities] - A wealth of teaching ideas that incorporate Google Apps

Latest revision as of 13:26, 30 April 2009

GoogleApps.jpg

What is Google Apps?

From the people who brought you the Google search engine, Google Apps is a suite of web 2.0 applications "for communication and collaboration" developed by Google. These tools can help you get better organized and stay in touch with colleagues, family, and friends. Some of the more popular applications from Google Apps are Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Talk, Google Docs, Google Sites and Google Reader. See the full list of Google Apps here. Also, Google continues to create new apps - you can explore these Google experiments at Google Labs. The Standard Edition of the Google Apps is free, but if you need more storage, there is a Premium Edition that costs $50/yr. Additionally, a free Education Edition is available for educational institutions.

  • Gmail is Google's email client. Gmail provides users with much more free storage space than competing email clients, has a very good spam filter, and allows users to search their email. If you aren't sold on Gmail's features yet, read 10 Reasons to Use Gmail. Also, watch this video overview to find out how Gmail will help make you more productive. For more specific Gmail questions, check out this playlist of how-to videos from the creators of Gmail.
  • Google Talk is Google's text and voice chat client. With Google Talk, you can instant message, do free PC-to-PC voice chat, send and receive voicemails, and transfer files to your contacts. Here's a short video introduction to Google Talk.
  • Google Docs is Google's word processing application. It allows users to create, store, and share documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and forms online. Take a tour of Google Docs.


Here are some ideas for using Google Apps in the classroom:

  • Change the language of any of the Google Apps to help foreign language students practice using their target language
  • Create a course website with Google Sites
  • Use Google Talk to facilitate interaction with scholars and native speakers
  • Have students set up a Google Reader account to keep track of relevant sites


Where can I get started using Google Apps?

Google Apps Training - Take this tutorial to get acquainted with the various features of Google Apps

7 Things You Should Know About Google Apps - From the EDUCAUSE series

Google Docs in Plain English - Introduction from Common Craft

Where can I see how others are using Google Apps?

Testimonials from schools and universities - Find out how educators across the country are using Google Apps Education Edition

Google for Educators: Classroom Activities - A wealth of teaching ideas that incorporate Google Apps

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