Beyond Googling
This is a look at some of the resources that Google has to offer, beyond web
searches. I have set this up in such a way that it will let you explore these
different services, and hopefully let you come up with some ideas for how
they could be used in your classroom. Interspersed are some interesting
facts on technology and the internet.
Technology fact: One out of every 8 couples married in the year 2009 met
on the internet.
Google Images
You’ve probably used Google’s image search before, but there may be some
features you haven’t tried. Go to Google and click the tab up top for
“Images”
1. Click the “LIFE photo archive” link below the search bar
What is this?
How far does it go back?
2. Go back to the main image search page, and enter a term to search
for. Not thrilled with the results? Below each picture is a link to “Find
Similar Images”. This will search for images that are visually similar to the
one you have selected.
3. Click the “Image Swirl” link. Enter a term, or use one of the
examples given.
What happens when you click on one of the pictures?
4. Back on the main search page, you can also click on the “advanced
image search” button to select from numerous criteria.
5. Bored and want to help Google make image searches more
accurate? Click the “Google Image Labeler” Button
Technology Fact: Ever wonder why the letters on the keyboard are laid out
the way they are? It not because it’s efficient; in fact it’s the exact opposite.
They were laid out this way to keep old, slow typewriters from jamming
when people would type too fast.
Google Books
Back on the main Google page, go to the “More” tab up top. Click
this, and then the “Books” link. Google would eventually like to have the
largest library collection in the world. Try some searches, and explore
things a bit.
1. You may notice that you can only access snippets of some books.
On the main book search page, read the “groundbreaking agreement” link.
What books are available to read in full?
2. How might this be used in your classroom?
Technology fact: The average internet capable cell phone today is one
million times cheaper, 1000 times more powerful, and 100 times smaller
than the most advanced computers of 10 years ago.
Google Scholar
Go back to the main Google page, and click on the “more” tab again. This
time, go to “Scholar”
1. What does this let you do? Try a couple of searches to see what the
results look like. (Teaching Journals are included)
2. Back on the main scholar page, click on the “Legal Opinions and
Journals” button. Try searching for some school related terms, like
“Tinker”, “Hazelwood”, or “Bong Hits 4 Jesus”.
3. How might these search engines be useful to you as an educator and
in your classroom?
Technology Fact: 1.73 billion people have regular access to the internet. 1
out of every 3 people in the world has never made a phone call. I guess that
dial-up connection could be worse.
Public Data Explorer
Google “Google Public Data”. Click on the first link that comes up. Check
out the examples given on this page (make sure to move the sliders, if
shown).
1. Click the “data sets” link on the side. What sort of data is
available?
2. What four different ways can you view most data (top left hand
corner)?
3. Play around with the settings a bit, and see what you can do. How
might you use this in the classroom?
Technology Fact: If Facebook users formed their own country, it would be
the fourth largest country in the world (Over400 million active users).
Google Squared
Google “Google Squared”, and head to the first link. This one is rather new,
so Google is still working the kinks out (See the flask and the “labs” sign?
These means the site is still under development. Lots of great Google sites
have started out here, including Gmail, maps, and picture search.)
1. Enter a category on the search box (anything that might have
subsets, like philosophers, candy bars, or baseball teams). What does this
search engine do?
2. Can you add or remove columns? How?
3. Note that you can save these. How might you use this with your
students?
Technology Fact: 160 billion emails are sent daily. 97% of these are spam.
Google Labs
All of Google’s new products go through an extensive testing phase.
They are adapted based on feedback from users. Yes, Google really does
read the emails you send them, so feel free to offer them your 2 cents.
Go to the main Google page. Go up to the “More” tab, and then click
on “Even More”. Click on the “Labs” Link
Check out the following lab products, and note what each does.
Google News Timeline
Flu Trends
In Quotes
GOOG-411
Google Trends
Final Technology fact: The average 21 year old has spent 5,000 hours
playing videogames, sent 250,000 emails and text messages, and has spent
10,000 hours on a mobile phone.