If you know me, read any of my blog posts, or follow me on Twitter you will recognize one pattern. I talk about and share out a lot of Google resources. There is even a joke that I will respond to “Hey, Google”. Most people know about how Google Docs can be shared between students and teachers to increase communication and editing, or how to use Google Slides to facilitate collaborative group work. If not, check the links above from Educator’s Technology Blog and Alice Keeler’ Teachers Tech.
What many people don’t know are the side projects Google has put together to bring the world to students and teachers. Here is a list of some of my favorites, see which ones you enjoy the most.
Google Cultural Institute - Google has curated a resource for anyone looking to do research or just discover about culture and historical setting of events that have changed the world. To bring this into your classroom, try having students create their own galleries or have this as a starting point for a socratic circle. I love just going in here and exploring what I can find.
World Wonders Project - Find your way through the wonders of the world. Examine historic photos or visit the pyramids of Giza. Swim with the fish of the Great Barrier Reef. Use this in your classroom to set the scene for a novel or find the significance of these sites historically.
Art Project - Walk the halls of the most famous art museum, and don’t get yelled at for getting too close. In fact, zoom in on Van Gough’s Starry Night and see his brush strokes. Have your students create galleries to bring reading to real life, or use this to bring “Art in the Dark” to an interactive experience.
Google Moon, Mars and Sky - Google Earth has been out for a while, so let’s take a trip that is out of this world. In Google Earth, under the top toolbar, click on the planet symbol and choose your destination. See NASA imagery, follow rover tracks and seek out landmarks. Use this as an extension activity or brainstorming activity to get the creativity flowing in your classroom.
Google Maps Treks - Using Google Maps Street View technology, go on virtual field trips to exotic locations. Follow the steps on Jane Goodall’s chimpanzee research or take a closer look at the Taj Mahal. Use this in your classroom to gain a deeper insight and a first person perspective of world that is normally not reachable.
Google Trends - The Internet of things and big data is becoming commonplace in our society. Use these ideas to help stir interests and discussion in your classes. Use Google Search Terms to track interests and relate to current events. You can search multiple terms, varying lengths of time and locations. Bring up the discussion of correlation and causation. So does education cause career growth?
There are so many other tools that Google has available, that I will share with you at a later time. But for now, go do some exploration and see what you can find.
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