Google Apps for Education

                                               

Google has become very powerful nowadays. It is not surprising that it offers applications for Education. It offers schools or universities solutions for their e-mail, calendar or chat through Google Apps for Education. Here are some advantages of it:

•         It is free

•         It is easily accessible (no need for downloading and installing software)

•         It is secure

•         It motivates collaborative work

•         Its stores a lot of information

I am familiar with Google docs, Google, Map, Blogger, Google Earth and Google Book Search. I think all this apps are very useful and can be easily used in education. The one that all of us have tried and are still using for various projects is Google docs. It is easily accessible and stores the information that all participants add.

Now let’s move to the apps that I am not familiar with. Google Notebook is one of them. It is an online notebook which is designed for online collaboration. It consolidated in one place and one can access from anywhere. Besides, one can share it with others. It is a helpful tool for gathering the information you need in one place instead of saving it on separate word documents. Here is the link on how to add Google notebook.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2fuwVhwEG0&feature=player_embedded#!

The next app is Google SketchUp. It is a user-friendly program that allows students or learners to create, modify and share 3D models. After finishing the sketch one can make a movie or print it out. It is a creative and interesting app that I think students would be eager to use. Here is the link of tutorial

The last app is Google Groups. This app helps students to become motivated outside the classroom. It is an open forum that enables students, teachers and parents to communicate with each other and discuss some issues related to teaching and learning. It is some kind of distance education forum that helps people to benefit from each other’s feedback and answers.

Overall, Google apps for Education as any other Web 2.0 tool makes the learning process more engaging and effective. Also, it promotes collaborative learning, enhances students experience and supports them.