Google Tools and the Classroom

Until this class, I had never explored Google tools. I always just used it as a search engine and nothing more. After experimenting with the tools such as map and docs, I think this will be a great addition to my classroom. I am planning on switching completely to googledocs during the spring semester. This way I do not have to worry about forgotten flash drives and "I did it at home" business. I think this will help tremendously. I also enjoy the map function. I think that when we do Shakespeare this will be a good feature to kind of plot out where he lived during his writing years and where stories are set.

I also enjoy the Reader function. This is a very awesome tool for traveling souls! I can upload books right to that reader and then open it up where ever I am. I think if we could get more books in this function then this could be the sole means for reading class. This would mean that the LA/Reading teachers would need labs for classrooms but who wouldn't want that! I think this could save schools money in the log run however with ordering books especially of the classics nature.

I think the only limitation for the google tools will be the lack of computer access both at school and at home. There are still some families that do not have computers at home or do not have internet access. It is also hard to get into the labs at school on a regular basis unless you plan a month or more out so that you can arrange your lab times. I think that working in a 1 to 1 school would be fantastic with the google tools options.