Archive for the ‘Google+’ Category
Google+ Circles for Educators
Google+ may still be finding its own footing among the Twitters and Facebooks of cyberspace, but nevertheless hosts a cornucopia of networking opportunities spanning numerous subjects. Education subject matter in particular seems to flourish on the service, with parents, teachers, pros, students, and interested outsiders meeting up and talking about anything and everything. Social media-savvy educators seeking any outlet possible to trade resources and ideas should check out the following circles for hot topics in teaching all age levels — including adults!
What is Google+?
Yes, Google+ is Google’s answer to Facebook, but not in the directly competitive sense many journalists assume. Google+ is core to Google’s mission “to organize the world’s information“, and that’s a better frame for thinking about this service. Here are 35 slides to help kickstart a different perspective on what Google+ really is – a “shared interest graph.” Gideon Rosenblatt
What Digital Non-Profits Can Learn From Companies Like Google
We live in a world where new digital products are solving problems daily — from managing our finances to remembering the groceries. Often, they’re solving problems we didn’t know we had, like the need to connect several times a day in 140 characters or less.
What we’re just starting to see, and what is for many the most exciting trend in technology, is the emergence of digital products designed specifically to provide social services at scale. This isn’t a rant about the death of the traditional non-profit, but a birth announcement. Non-profits (and other organizations aimed at making a social impact) are taking new approaches that look less like direct service and more like Google. These aren’t just brochure websites. They’re tools — proprietary, unique and scalable. And this means there’s an increased need for talented digital product managers in the social sector.
Google: Resources to support a new and open world for learning
Googlers are the types who never really leave the classroom. Guest speakers come to campus to give talks on subjects ranging from fiction to physics. Diverse groups of people work together to understand and solve big problems while groups of Googlers engage in passionate debate in our cafeterias. Given this environment, it’s no surprise how highly we value our external work in education. We have a growing number of successful education programs from primary school through to university, as well as a suite of free and open tools that reach families and classrooms around the world.
Recently, we decided to gather our resources and lessons learned into one place for educators everywhere. “Google in Education: A New and Open World for Learning” highlights how people are using Google resources to enhance teaching and learning. This booklet isn’t your typical annual report; it’s a living document for educators to use year-round. We’ve also revamped our website, google.com/edu, to be a one-stop shop for teachers, students, parents and organizations to explore all of our offerings. We’ve launched a Google+ page, where everyone can stay updated on our educational tools, products and programs, and join the conversation.
Google+ Hangouts with Screensharing
When we launched Hangouts with Extras last September, we wanted to test new features and get feedback from users. We’ve learned a lot over the past few months, and today we’re rolling out a new Hangouts look and feel that incorporates some of the “extras,” and better reflects Google’s overall design. Highlights include:
- Screensharing: share what’s on your computer screen with everyone in the hangout. This is the first of many extras we’re graduating to Hangouts proper.
- Bigger video: we’ve put more emphasis on the live video itself by optimizing white space and other screen elements.
Check out the attached photos to preview some of the changes, and have fun hanging out!
Google+ Hangout scheduling
- ScheduleHangout is great for scheduling group hangouts on Google+
- Invite your guests, give them a few date options and ScheduleHangout does the rest.
- We’ll help you organize the Hangout session around your friends/colleagues optimized availability.
Giving you fresher, more recent search results
Search results, like warm cookies right out of the oven or cool refreshing fruit on a hot summer’s day, are best when they’re fresh. Even if you don’t specify it in your search, you probably want search results that are relevant and recent.
If I search for [olympics], I probably want information about next summer’s upcoming Olympics, not the 1900 Summer Olympics (the only time my favorite sport, cricket, was played). Google Search uses a freshness algorithm, designed to give you the most up-to-date results, so even when I just type [olympics] without specifying 2012, I still find what I’m looking for.
Given the incredibly fast pace at which information moves in today’s world, the most recent information can be from the last week, day or even minute, and depending on the search terms, the algorithm needs to be able to figure out if a result from a week ago about a TV show is recent, or if a result from a week ago about breaking news is too old.
How are Educators Using Google Plus Hangouts?
As more people join Google’s new social network, Google+, they’re figuring out how to take advantage of some of the innovative uses for the site.
One obvious use for educators is to boost their personal and professional network, particularly as the service offers more granular controls for privacy and sharing. Within these Circles, as each designated group is called, educators and students can create discussion groups without having to worry about the awkward or troubling “friend” or “follower” relationships that come with Facebook and Twitter.
But beyond that, Google Hangouts opens up another realm of possibilities for educators.
100+ Google Tricks for Teachers
It’s Google’s world, we’re just teaching in it.
Now, we can use it a little more easily. With classes, homework, and projects–not to mention your social life–time is truly at a premium for all teachers, so why not take advantage of the wide world that Google has to offer?
From super-effective search tricks to Google tools specifically for education to tricks and tips for using Gmail, Google Docs, and Google Calendar, these tricks will surely save you some precious time.
How Google Affects Memory and Learning
Online colleges put together this nifty infographic that shows us how Google helps us find information on the Internet, so we can keep our minds clear and fresh. But, perhaps we rely too much on Google.
The information is insightful because it illustrates how Google helps us keep our daily lives organized and coherent. When only a few years ago, half of what Google offers now wasn’t even available then. Google is a service that we take for granted — just think where we’d be without it.
