Internet Search Tools: Google Search, Creative Commons & Wolfram Alpha

This week I explored and reviewed some great search tools in Google (and beyond) that could save educators a lot of time and effort when looking for a specific topic, author, type of document, etc.  Additionally, they might also serves as great additions to help "spice up" or add variety to lessons in the classroom.  These tools can also be useful for students when working on assignments, projects or research assignments in the classroom.

Google Search Tools & Creative Commons
I created a Google Slideshow for a potential professional development workshop to display some of the Google Search options available to help educators be more efficient and effective when searching for particular topics.  The Creative Commons is another great (and safe) search tool for teachers and students to gather and utilize material for lesson plans, assignments and/or projects without stressing over copyright issues (great way to teach digital citizenship).  The Slideshow has MANY video tutorials and resource links to help educate and guide you in using these great search tools.

Still didn't find what you were looking for?  Here are some additional resources:

Google for Educators:  The Best Features for Busy Teachers

20 Google Tools Teachers Should Try

The Best Ways to Use Google in the Classroom

Resource Guide: 8 Google Tools for the Classroom

Teaching Students About the Creative Commons

Creative Commons Resources for Classroom Teachers

Creative Commons Search Page

Wolfram Alpha

Wolfram Alpha is a "computational knowledge engine" that computes answers to your searches, analyzing potential feedback to provide you with and many facts and bits of information on the topic as possible.  Personally, I believe that this search engine is geared more toward math and science. However, it displays a wide array of main topics to choose from; you just might not get the answers that you were hoping for OR you could get more than you bargained for.  Again, I believe it's all in the topic you are looking for and what you hope to get out of it.  Wolfram Alpha has also created a lesson plans page for educators.  The subjects currently posted are math, science and social studies (if you teach these subjects this is a bonus for you).  Despite a few of these drawbacks, I still believe that this is a very beneficial search site, especially for classroom teachers.  Check out the video tutorials below to learn more about Wolfram Alpha:

Here are some additional videos and resources on Wolfram Alpha:

10 Best Ways to Use Wolfram Alpha Knowledge Engine

4+ Powerful Ways to use Wolfram Alpha for Educating Your Kids

Wolfram Alpha for Educators

Education App Review:  Wolfram Alpha

Wolfram Alpha Examples by Topic

Want to know who rates better, Google or Wolfram Alpha?  Watch the Google vs. Wolfram Alpha video below:

Of course, the final call is up to you, the user.  Happy Searching!

Pinterest, Symbaloo & Google Drive Research Tool (Topic: Social Media in Education)

Pinterest
What is Pinterest?  Pinterest is a great social media and resource tool for educators; if you need ideas, I can almost guarantee you will find them there.  Like Twitter, you can follow particular people if you wish, which allows you to see all of their pins, or you can simply pin the specific posts that you want to save to your boards.  Not only that, it is extremely simple to keep all of your pins organized by assigning them to a specific board (i.e. lesson plans, classroom management, educational technology tools, etc.).  You may also search pins by clicking on one of the "listed topics" in the search bar, or you can type in the specific topic, person or group that you might be looking for.  If you would like to learn more about Pinterest, check out the tutorial video below:

If you don't like this tutorial, click HERE to view a different one.

Here are some additional articles, guides, and resource links regarding the wonderful uses of Pinterest in education:

The Teacher's Guide to Pinterest

Using Pinterest in Education

Pinterest and Education

30 Inspiring Pinterest Pins for Teachers

Educators Guide to the Use of Pinterest in Education

Visit my Pinterest page @ https://www.pinterest.com/coach_allen/

Symbaloo

SymbalooEDU is another amazing tool for organizing all of your websites by creating a page called a "webmix."  A webmix can be created for multiple purposes or one specific purpose, topic and/or group (i.e. 1st hour algebra, 2nd grade, Physical Education, Teacher Resources, etc.).  In addition, you may categorize websites within a webmix by color-coding the square that each site represents (i.e. addition, subtraction, reading, writing, technology, etc.).  Each webmix is not only easy to customize, it is also very viewer and user friendly.  There is also a gallery that you may visit to view public webmixes that others have created, or you can search for specific tiles, webmixes or profiles.  If you would like to learn more about Symbaloo, check out the tutorial video below:

If you don't like this tutorial, click HERE to view a different one.  Click HERE for the Symbaloo Users Guide.

Here are some additional articles and resource links to further explore the benefits of Symbaloo in education:

11 Ways to use Symbaloo in the Classroom

Using Symbaloo in Your Classroom

My Top 52 Webtools for Students:  Symbaloo EDU Webmix

Symbaloo Educational Webmixes of Teaching Resources

Visit my Symbaloo Webmix that I created for my SJSD (St. Joseph School District) Teachers & Colleagues.

Google Drive Research Tool (Research Topic: Pros & Cons of Social Media in Education)
This week I got to discover another great resource in Google Drive, the research tool.  It allows you to perform a search for articles, images, etc. while you are working on a document.  Additionally, it also allows you to perform a search in Google Scholar if you are looking for sites or abstracts that are peer reviewed and more reputable sources of information when it comes to doing research papers.  When searching a topic, you can preview the site, insert the link, as well as cite the information right inside your document.  When citing information, you may choose the format (i.e. MLA, APA, etc.) that it is displayed depending on your institutions or instructors particular writing format, which is extremely useful.  It will then number and cite your source at the bottom of the page to match the material above.  To learn more about the Google Drive Research tool, please watch the videos below:

Click HERE if you want to see one more tutorial video.

Here are some additional articles and resource links to further explore the benefits of Google Drive's Research Tool:

Google Research Tool

Using Google Docs Research Tool in the Classroom

Research Tool Added to Google Presentation

How Google Docs' Research Tool Removes Drudgery from Reports and Presentations 

4 Important Google Docs' Features for Student Researchers

How to Organize your Research with the Power of Google Drive

Feel free to check out my Social Media Research assignment that I created investigating the pros and cons of using social media in education using the Google Drive research tool.     

Google Keep, Lesson Plan Websites, Organizational & Time-Saving Tools

Google Keep
Google Keep is an excellent way to stay organized.  Not only can you take notes on various materials, you can also share check-lists, reminders, or send short notes to others.  The color-coding and labeling options help you to filter your messages by type (i.e. blue = school, red = to-do, yellow = personal, etc.).  Color-coding or labeling by category makes the search feature much easier at a later time if you have a lot of notes saved over time.  The mobile app allows you to keep working on the go by sending audio notes (Android phones only), using images from your photo gallery, as well the ability to work offline (can work offline on your computer too).  The reminder feature is another great asset to Google Keep.  You can set reminders for events so that you never miss a deadline or personal responsibility (i.e. get milk on the way home).  Using Google Keep would be a great way for both students and teachers to jot down quick notes in class, collaborate with others, as well as stay organized and complete assignments on time by setting and receiving reminders.

Want to see how easy it is to use Google Keep?  Watch the Google Keep Tutorial video below.

Want more information on Google Keep?  Check out the links below.

A Step by Step Guide on Everything Teachers Need to Know About Google Keep

Google Keep for Educators and Students

7 Features of Google Keep for You to Teach With

Tips to Using Google Keep in Education

Lesson Plan Websites

There are an abundance of lesson plan sites to help teachers create and/or enhance meaningful lessons for their students.  (In all honestly, usually the best ideas come from other teachers).  This week I had to share some lesson plan sites that would be useful for me to use in my classroom (which happens to be the gymnasium).  Here are a few that I like using to find new or innovative ideas:

Mr. Gym

PE Central

PhysEd Games (my new favorite)

Of course, there are many more to choose from.  Here are a few more that allow you to choose your subject:

Lesson Plans Page

Teacher.org Lesson Plans

Teachnology

Organizational & Time-Saving Tools

I got to explore several organizational and time-saving tools this week.  Let me tell you, there are A LOT of cool sites to help teachers save time and effort, along with staying organized.  Besides Google Keep, which I showcased above, I found these three (Doodle, SignUp Genius, and Remind) to be exceptionally helpful for managing time, meetings and events amongst colleagues, students and parents.  Not only that, many of them also allow you to correspond safely with parents and students and send documents, photos and videos.  Additionally, several of them can be used on multiple devices (i.e. computer, cell phone, iPad, etc.) or multiple outlets (i.e. e-mail, texting, social media venues, etc.).  Feel free to check out my flyer, which lists the benefits of these great time-saving tools:

                                                         

  Time-Saving Tools for Teachers Flyer 

Here are some additional sites that you can check out for staying organized:

10 Free Organizational Tools

TeachersFirst Time-Saving & Organizational Tools (make sure you have some time if you are going to visit this site)

25 Teaching Tools for the Digital Classroom (this one is nicely organized into categories)