I really enjoyed monkeying around with Google and its manifold applications today. I had toyed around with Google Docs before, but found it to be difficult to implement at that time, particularly with few folks using Google Docs at that time. Now, with consistent use throughout our campus, I plan on beginning the school year using Google Docs for the many documents that I must share with teachers and campus leadership. Using a template, I began creation of a campus assessment calendar, which last year was posted on a dry-erase board in our workroom. From student information to lab schedules, Google Docs is a fabulous way to share the many documents that fly back and forth among us. It also seems much more "green" and secure than having hard copies of documents all over the place. There are a few people I'll have to wean of the "need" for a hard copy all of the time, though. (This means you, Liska!)
Google Reader is really a nice tool for fostering a collaborative environment. Whether subscribing to the blogs of professional organizations, other teachers, or students, it really makes the keeping track of other blogs streamlined without having to sift through hotlinks or bookmarks.
Google is proving itself to be the Swiss Army Knife of the Internet; it seems there's very little it can't do.
I completely agree! Google Docs and Google Reader are definitely the Swiss Army Knife of the internet. I was amazed at what I good do, and how easy it was to share information. I'm preparing for a good friend's baby shower, and myself and the gals have been using Google Docs to confirm RSVP's, prepare the menu list of who's bringing what and so forth, and keep track of cost. It's so easy, and a much better form of communication than continues emailing of all hostess involved. I'm very excited to try this type of communication at school. :-)
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