Just For Fun

Google Research Pane

I was working in the lab, late one night, when my eyes beheld an eerie sight....


(quick: what song is running through your head right now?)


...a research pane on the right side of my Google Doc.


Huh? What is that and where did it come from? How can it make my life (and the life of my students) easier?


The new Google Research Pane appears on the right hand side of the screen when you open up a new document in Google Docs. It allows you to search the web as you are creating the content in your document.

When you find something that you would like to add to your document, whether it be a quote, an image or a video, simply insert the item and Google, when appropriate, will also include a footnote citation so you know where you got it from.


In addition to the research pane, Google has also included more than 60 new fonts and templates for you to use when creating things in Google Docs. These new themes can be accessed when you start a new file. Simple choose 'from template' under the Create menu.


When I first introduced Google Docs to my students, I sold it as a basic version of MS Word. But with all these new features.....I might be tempted to make a permanent switch.


Are you still humming Monster Mash to yourself?

Google Drive

I swear, I think Google has the answer to all of my problems. Or, I've been drinking too much Google Kool-Aid.


Problem: I left my newly created, amazing, fantastic and engaging PPT lesson at home. And now my students are staring blankly at me, waiting in anticipation....

Solution: Google Drive

Up until now, the first solution that comes to mind would be DropBox, or iCloud, or Evernote--a great place to store all your files in the 'cloud' so that you have access to them from any device. But which one was the best? Which one gave you the most storage space for free? Could you really access your files at any time and from any device?





This month, Google finally released Google Drive, a simple yet dynamic add-on to Google Docs. It's like a suped-up, neon-lights on the running boards version of Google Docs.






Google Drive provides you with 5GB of free storage to store files, videos, pictures and music in the Google Cloud. You can then share and access any of these files from any device--your PC, your SmartPhone, and even the school computer (assuming you have found the hidden Firefox icon).


Google Drive is able to handle many different file types including Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and HD video.

To access Google Drive, simply log in to your Google Account and it should appear in the black menu bar at the top. If not, click on MORE and select Drive.

Ted Ed: Lessons Worth Sharing

Early this month, TED Talks created a spin-off of their wildly popular video site. This new site, entitled TED-ED: Lessons Worth Sharing, organizes TED videos based on subject and curricular strands. For each video, TED-ED has also included a introduction to the video; a short quiz; a thinking question (which students can answer in a text box) and then extension questions/activities that will promote critical thinking.

Each video page also comes with the ability to "Flip The Lesson". The main idea behind a flipped classroom is that your students will watch/read new content at home and then come to class to work review exercises or critical thinking questions. As the teacher, you will no longer be the presenter of content, but the facilitator of understanding.


So, for this example, the students would watch the video at home, assess their understanding using the Quick Quiz and then come to class the next day prepared to discuss the answers to the Dig Deeper Questions.


What do you think?