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?