This week I wanted to talk to you about using Google Sites to build a website. Google Sites is a great tool for building a class webpage. Building a class webpage is a great place to put important links, documents, calendars, and notes for your students.
1. Go to sites.google.com 2. Log-in to your Google account. 3. Click create.
4. Select a template, a name, and site location for your website.
5. Begin designing your website.
Using Google Sites is a easy way to create your own website. If you are familiar with other Google tools you will definitely find Google Sites easy to use because it has a similar look and feel to it to other Google tools.
For even more information, watch the video tutorial below.
Once again, thanks for reading this week's blog. I truly hope this has inspired you to try making a Google Site.
Today I am going to compare two Google tools that involve using maps. These two tools are Google Earth and Google Tour builder.
Google Earth
VS
Google Tour Builder
What is Google Earth and Google Tour Builder?
Google Earth: Google Earth allows you to go almost anywhere on earth using satellite imagery. It allows you to get a street view and even gives you the option to see buildings in 3D. Google Earth has options that allow you to explore the oceans, outer space, and other planets. For more information on Google Earth, click here.
This is an image of the Empire State Building in New York City using Google Earth. Google Tour Builder: Google Tour Builder allows you to give people a virtual tour of certain locations using Google Earth. You can add text, pictures, videos, and can even capitalize on using the street view option in your tour. For more information on Google Tour Builder, click here. Click here to access my Google Tour on five famous mathematicians.
Similarities
Google Tour Builder uses Google Earth and Maps.
Both offer a street view option.
Differences
Google Earth
Allows you to measure distances
Allows you to to show sunlight across the landscape and set the time of day
Allows you to switch between earth, sky, and planets view.
Allows you to explore the oceans.
Allows you to show historical imagery, if it is available for that location.
Allows you to record a tour with audio.
Offers 3D imagery of buildings.
Google Tour Builder
Allows you to record a virtual tour.
Allows you to add pictures and videos.
Allows you to add an introduction and text to your virtual tour.
Allows you to share your tour with a URL.
Lesson Plan Ideas
Google Earth
Allow students to pick a famous landmark and locate it using Google Earth. Have them use the ruler to get the dimensions of the landmark. Then have them create a scale drawing of the landmark.
Three-dimensional shape scavenger hunt
Allow students to pick certain locations. Have them use the ruler to get the dimensions of the location. Then have them find the perimeter and area of the location
For more lesson plan ideas, math and other subjects, using Google Earth, click here.
Google Tour Builder
Famous landmarks tour
Tour a country you will be learning about
Tour an area that you read about in a book
For more lesson plan ideas using Google Tour Builder, click here.
Overall, both tools have amazing possibilities for the classroom. I like Google Earth a little more than Google Tour Builder because I feel that it has more options for me as a math teacher. Regardless of my opinion, both of these have wonderful features that will increase student engagement in your classroom. Thanks for reading my blog this week. Stop by next week for my blog on making a webpage with Google sites.
For this week's blog I wanted to introduce you to Google Story Builder, Google+ Hangouts, Build with Chrome, and TubeSnack.
GoogleStory Builder
What does it do? Google Story Builder allows you to write a short script with characters and turn it into an animated conversation. You can add background music and share your story. How do you use it? Go to https://docsstorybuilder.appspot.com/ and click get started. You type in the characters that will be part of your story and then begin writing your script. I would recommend writing out your story ahead of time on word processing software. If you want to edit a previous portion of the script in Story Builder, any content after that point will be deleted. Once the story is finished, you can add background music and get a shareable link. Click here to access my story "A Duck Named Cuddles". Want more information? Watch the following video tutorial.
Google+Hangouts
What does it do? Google+ Hangouts is similar to Facetime by Apple. Hangouts has the added bonus of working with Android, Apple, and/or Windows. Hangouts allows you to make video calls, a regular phone calls, or you can simply message a person. These conversations can include up to 10 people, counting you.
How do you use it? You log-in to Hangouts using your Gmail account. Hangouts can be found under your Google apps in your email or by going to this website https://hangouts.google.com/ . This is what it should look like once you are logged in.
From this page you will be able to make video calls, phone calls and messages.
Want more information? For more information click here.
BuildwithChrome
What does it do? Build with Chrome incorporates building with Legos into Google Maps. You can select a location anywhere on the map. Then you are given a Lego square to build on. Once your build is completed it can be seen on the Build with Chrome map along with other builds from around the world.
How do you use it? Go to https://www.buildwithchrome.com/, sign in using your Gmail account, and click start building. Pick a location off the map and start building. Here is what it looks like when you are building.
Want more information? Here is a video tutorial.
TubeSnack
What does it do? TubeSnack is not actually a Google tool. It is a tool to be used primarily with YouTube videos. TubeSnack allows you to create video playlists. You are then able to share these playlists with a URL. You are able to embed the playlist but this option does cost money.
How do you use it? You will want to begin by logging in to TubeSnack. You can create a new account or log-in using Facebook, Gmail, or Twitter. Once you are logged in you create a new playlists, add videos to the playlists by searching or copying & pasting the video's URL. You can change the order of the videos and change the template for the playlist. After you have completed the playlist, you have the option to share the URL. Click here for my TubeSnack on different methods for factoring quadratic polynomials.
Want more information? Watch this video tutorial.
Thanks for visiting my blog this week. I hope you learned something new!. Stop by next week for my blog on Google Earth and Google Tour Builder.
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