In an earlier post we shared some exciting tools and apps from Google for educators: http://www.designstorm.in/thoughtstorm/googles-treasure-trove-for-educators/ In this part II of the same post we’re back with some more jewels. These Google tools transport us in space and time. They connect us with people from across the world, and give us a first-hand experience in global collaboration. Read on to explore.
VII Google Cultural Institute:
Take a trip through museums from across the world, and become a curator of your own gallery. This is a rich resource that covers art, history, and culture under one space.
You can visit these online museums anytime, as many times as you like. Your students can even create their own galleries, and that is how they may end up knowing more than they would from a physical visit to a museum. However, would these reduce the excitement of visiting a physical museum? Doubt it. In fact, the experience is almost better than a book (apologies book lovers), and lesser than an actual visit.
VIII Google Tour Builder: https://tourbuilder.withgoogle.com/
Your students can become explorers, navigators or army generals making strategic decisions. Get them to tell stories using the Google Tour Builder, and they’ll connect with history, geography or culture, like never before.
Come up with your own creative uses. For example, take up a journalistic assignment of documenting changes in your local area since the new government took over. Or allow employees to explore your organization’s growth story using this tool. The possibilities are endless.
“Teaching history is about teaching stories.” Watch how this teacher uses Google Tour Builder to bring stories to life.
IX Google Historical Voyages and Events:
Much along the lines of the resources listed above, this Google Certified teacher is trying to get schools from across the world to create voyages of the great travellers to explore your culture and history.
X Google Skymap:
“I can find in my undergraduate classes, bright students who do not know that the stars rise and set at night, or even that the Sun is a star.”—Carl Sagan
Enlighten your students with this open source mobile app, which is Google’s “window on the sky”. To have some fun learning, you could organize a star gazing party around this app.
XI Developers University Consortium:
And here is another hidden treasure: Free online courses on Android Mobile App Development, Interactive Web Development, and Programming.
Use technology to facilitate wonders, and share your stories below. We're all eager to learn.