Table Of ContentRetool
Your School
The Educator’s Essential Guide
to Google’s Free Power Apps
James Lerman
& Ronique Hicks
International Society for Technology in Education
EUGENE, OREGON • WASHINGTON, DC
(c) 2011 International Society for Technology in Education. All Rights Reserved.
Retool Your School
The Educator’s Essential Guide to Google’s Free Power Apps
James Lerman & ronique Hicks
© 2010 International Society for Technology in Education
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Lerman, James, 1946-
Retool your school : the educator’s essential guide to Google’s free
power apps / James Lerman and Ronique Hicks.
p. cm.
ISBN 978-1-56484-267-1 (pbk.)
1. Internet in education—United States. 2. Google Apps. 3. School
improvement programs—United States. I. Hicks, Ronique. II. Title.
LB1044.87.L46 2010
371.33'44678—dc22
2010021983
First Edition
ISBN: 978-1-56484-267-1
Printed in the United States of America
ISTE® is a registered trademark of the International Society for Technology in Education.
(c) 2011 International Society for Technology in Education. All Rights Reserved.
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RETOOl YOUR SCHOOl iii
(c) 2011 International Society for Technology in Education. All Rights Reserved.
About the Authors
James Lerman creates educational environments and experi-
ences for learners of all ages. Design, in its many forms, is a
particular passion of his, as are educational technology, poli-
tics, and the arts. He has been a classroom teacher, principal,
staff development director, director of technology, assistant
superintendent of schools, college professor, nonprofit orga-
nization executive, national conference presenter, consultant,
founder of four public schools, and author. He currently
serves as Director of the Progressive Science Initiative at Kean
University, a highly innovative program for experienced high
school teachers that educates them to become teachers of
physics, chemistry, and biology. Jim’s other affiliations include being a Google Certified Teacher
and an adjunct faculty member in the Departments of Educational Leadership at both Kean
and William Paterson Universities. Between 2009 and 2010, he was instrumental in writing
federal grant proposals that raised over $15 million.
ronique Hicks is an educational consultant specializing in
instructional design, including differentiated instruction
and technology integration, to meet the needs of 21st-century
learners. She engages in professional development activities
including workshops, seminars, conference presentations, and
mentoring for educators in varied programs. Additionally,
she shares her ed tech expertise as an independent consultant
for industry-leading companies such as Discovery Education,
eInstruction, and PLATO Learning. Her professional member-
ships and affiliations include ASCD, ISTE, Google Certified
Teacher, and STAR Discovery Educator.
contributors
Jerome Burg taught high school English for 38 years. Now retired, he spends his time doing
professional development, training educators across the country for Apple. He is also a member
of the Board of Directors for Computer Using Educators, Inc. (www.cue.org), the founder of the
award-winning GoogleLitTrips.com project, and a brand-new grandfather.
cheryl Davis is the Acalanes Union High School District curriculum and instruction technology
specialist. She works with teachers to create and develop 21st-century lessons for the classroom.
A former high school history and digital arts teacher, she has created and published Web 2.0
lessons as a Google Certified Teacher and as an Apple Distinguished Educator.
Pamela Friedman is an instructional technology specialist and computer technology teacher
for the Westfield (New Jersey) School District, as well as a Google Certified Teacher. In addition
to professional development for her district, she has presented and facilitated at the NJECC
Annual Conference, the Montclair State University Classroom 2.0 Learning Institute, the
iv RETOOl YOUR SCHOOl
(c) 2011 International Society for Technology in Education. All Rights Reserved.
About the Authors
New Jersey School Boards Association Conference, the NJ Elite Conference, and the NJSBA
Annual Technology Conference on subjects ranging from technology integration to Web 2.0
communication tools.
John Hrevnack is an assistant professor and coordinator of the Middle School Program at
Kean University of New Jersey. He has presented at the New Jersey Middle School Association
Conference, the New Jersey School Boards Association Conference, the Annual NJSBA
Technology Conference, and the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association
Conference on integration of technology into the curriculum and related topics. He previously
served as superintendent of schools, principal, basic skills supervisor, and taught Grades 3–8.
carol Larow taught language arts for 33 years in the Niskayuna School District (New York). She
is an Apple Distinguished Educator, a Smithsonian Laureate, and a Google Certified Teacher.
LaRow received WNYT’s Educator of Excellence Award and was nominated for Disney’s
American Teacher Award. She has written curriculum for Apple and Adobe, taught at the Apple
Teacher Institutes, and is one of the authors of Google Lit Trips and Apple’s 21st Century
Learning Collection. She is a technology consultant and provides staff development and
keynote addresses for faculties and administrators throughout the Northeast United States.
Harold olejarz is a Google Certified Teacher. He teaches digital media at Eisenhower Middle
School in Wyckoff, New Jersey. On the forefront of infusing technology in arts education,
Olejarz has presented at numerous state and national conferences. His essay, “Digital Video in
the Art Room,” is included in Video Art for the Classroom, a National Art Education Association
publication. Visit his website at www.digitalharold.com.
sarah rolle is the director of technology at The Elisabeth Morrow School in Englewood, New
Jersey, and a Google Certified Teacher. She holds a Master of Education in Educational Media
and Computers from Arizona State University. When not involved in technology, Sarah enjoys
crafts including knitting, weaving, and pottery.
eleanor Funk schuster is a library media specialist at Suffern Middle School in Rockland
County, New York. She holds a Master of Science in Library and Information Science from
Long Island University and a Master of Science in Technology with Distinction from the New
York Institute of Technology. Eleanor coordinates Suffern Middle School’s videoconferencing
program, connecting her students to content and conversation around the globe.
andrea Tejedor is a consultant for e-learning and instructional technology. As the coordinator
for e-Learning for the Orange-Ulster BOCES in New York, she currently assists the educators
in 17 school districts in the design, planning, and integration of instructional technology
across the curriculum. Tejedor is currently a candidate for an EdD in Education Leadership,
Management, and Policy at Seton Hall University.
RETOOl YOUR SCHOOl v
(c) 2011 International Society for Technology in Education. All Rights Reserved.
Contents
INTRODUCTION Dictionaries Don’t “Get” Google ............................................ 1
How This Book Is Organized ......................................................................2
SECTION I
The Transformative Educational Power
of Google Applications
CHApTER 1 How Google Transformed a School ......................................5
The principal .......................................................................................... 6
What Were the Keys to Change? ................................................................7
Seven Factors Contributing to Success .....................................................24
What Does This All Mean? .......................................................................27
A Final Word .........................................................................................29
SECTION II
The Most Widely Used Google Applications
in Schools
CHApTER 2 First Things First: Set Up a Google Account ......................33
CHApTER 3 Documents .....................................................................................37
A Brief Word about Google Docs .............................................................37
Snapshot Description ..............................................................................38
How It Works .........................................................................................39
Creating a New Document • Working with a Document • Comments •
Sharing • Templates • Managing the Google Docs Home Page •
Changing Ownership of a Document
Teacher Tips ......................................................................................... 44
CHApTER 4 Presentations ...............................................................................47
Snapshot Description ..............................................................................47
How It Works ........................................................................................ 48
Naming • Menu Toolbar • Customizing Slide Backgrounds • Sample Slide
Show • Revision History • Copy and Paste Slides • Saving • Printing a
Slide Show or Saving as a PDF • Chat in Presentation View • Uploading
PowerPoint Presentations • Publishing and Embedding a Presentation
Teacher Tips ..........................................................................................54
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(c) 2011 International Society for Technology in Education. All Rights Reserved.
Contents
CHApTER 5 Spreadsheets .................................................................................57
Snapshot Description ..............................................................................57
How It Works .........................................................................................58
Naming • Modifying Row Height and Column Width • Other Formatting
• Sorting • Formulas • Auto-Filling and Copying • Managing Rows and
Columns • Managing Cells • Gadgets • Search • Images • Motion Charts
• Chat • Collaboration • Importing and Exporting • Publishing and
Embedding • Making a Form from a Spreadsheet
Teacher Tips ..........................................................................................69
CHApTER 6 Forms ............................................................................................... 71
Snapshot Description .............................................................................. 71
How It Works .........................................................................................72
Getting Started • Creating Questions • Managing Your Form •
Understanding Data with See Responses
Teacher Tips ..........................................................................................75
CHApTER 7 Blogger ...........................................................................................77
Snapshot Description ..............................................................................77
How It Works .........................................................................................78
Getting Started • Making Your First Blog Post • Blogger Dashboard •
Managing Your Blog
Teacher Tips ......................................................................................... 83
CHApTER 8 Maps ..................................................................................................87
Snapshot Description ..............................................................................87
How It Works .........................................................................................88
Learning Your Way Around • Searching • Getting Directions •
My Maps—Creating A Map and Adding Your Own Content • Adding
Content Created by Others to Your Map • Collaborating and Sharing
Teacher Tips ..........................................................................................94
CHApTER 9 Earth ................................................................................................97
Snapshot Description ..............................................................................97
How It Works .........................................................................................98
Getting Started • Navigating the Home Page • The 3D Viewer and
Controls • Adding Content • Searching for Content • Adding Your Own
Content • Image Overlay and Photos • Viewing and Creating Virtual
Tours
Teacher Tips .........................................................................................107
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(c) 2011 International Society for Technology in Education. All Rights Reserved.
Contents
SECTION III
More Great Google Applications for Schools
CHApTER 10 Advanced Search and Recent Additions ............................ 113
Snapshot Description ............................................................................. 113
How It Works ........................................................................................ 114
Accessing Advanced Search • Working with Advanced Search •
More Advanced Search Parameters • Recent Additions to Search
Teacher Tips .........................................................................................123
CHApTER 11 Calendar ........................................................................................125
Snapshot Description .............................................................................125
How It Works ........................................................................................126
Getting Started • Get to Know Your Primary Calendar • Creating
Events • Creating Tasks • Mini Calendar • Use My Calendars to Create
and Manage Multiple Calendars • Other Calendars • Embedding a
Calendar in a Website, Blog, or Wiki • Tips • Using Calendar Offline
Teacher Tips .........................................................................................134
CHApTER 12 Groups ............................................................................................137
Snapshot Description .............................................................................137
How It Works ........................................................................................138
Logging In • Access Existing Groups • Creating a Group • Working
within Groups as a Member • Creating a Page • Deleting or Removing
Pages • Working within Groups as an Owner or Manager
Teacher Tips .........................................................................................145
CHApTER 13 iGoogle ...........................................................................................147
Snapshot Description .............................................................................147
How It Works ....................................................................................... 148
Accessing iGoogle • Starting to Work with iGoogle • Working with
Gadgets (basic) • Working with Tabs • Themes • Working with Gadgets
(advanced) • Making iGoogle Your Default Start Page • Help
Teacher Tips .........................................................................................153
CHApTER 14 News ................................................................................................155
Snapshot Description .............................................................................155
How it Works ........................................................................................156
Getting Started • Personalize Your Page • News Archive and Timeline •
Alerts
Teacher Tips .........................................................................................159
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(c) 2011 International Society for Technology in Education. All Rights Reserved.
Contents
CHApTER 15 Picasa ...............................................................................................161
Snapshot Description ..............................................................................161
How It Works ........................................................................................162
part 1: picasa on Your Computer (Folders and Albums) ...............................162
Starting Up • Managing Photos • Folder Manager • Importing Your
Photos • Editing Photos • The Photo Tray • Sharing Photos • Collages •
Movies • Backing Up Photos • Picasa Photo Viewer • Screen Shots
part 2: picasa on the Internet (Web Albums) .............................................170
Starting Up • Uploading Photos • Drop Box • Sharing Photos
and Albums • Managing Photos—Tagging, Name Tagging (Face
Recognition), and Mapping Photos, and Synching • Creative Commons
• More
Teacher Tips .........................................................................................177
CHApTER 16 Sites ................................................................................................. 181
Snapshot Description ............................................................................. 181
How It Works ........................................................................................182
Getting Started • Working with a Page • Editing a Page •
Working with the Navigation Sidebar • Collaboration
Teacher Tips .........................................................................................189
SECTION IV
Do School Differently
CHApTER 17 Google Apps: The Education Edition by harold Olejarz .....195
Description and Benefits ........................................................................195
Getting Started—Setting Up a Google Apps Account .................................195
Administering Your Google Apps Account .............................................. 200
Dashboard • Users and Groups • Adding Users • Domain Settings •
Advanced Tools • Support • Service Settings
Online Help .........................................................................................208
Summary .............................................................................................208
SECTION V
Lesson Plans
lesson plan Introduction ........................................................................213
Elementary School Lessons ...................................................215
After-School Activities ...........................................................................217
Biomes of the Earth ..............................................................................220
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