Surfing the Google Wave.

Google wave is a web-based application that enhances electronic communication. Here is a (long) presentation and preview of Google Wave:

This latest initiative may provide educators additional resources for online personal learning environments. In EDUCAUSE’s 7 Things You Should Know About Google Wave, details how this emerging technology can be utilized for teaching and learning:

• Conversations -multiple messages for message board chats, IM, texting, etc
• Archiving email/chat dialogues that are also non-linnear & asynchronous
• Interactive maps
• Informal polls
• Translation of text for global learners
• Photography & image sharing
• Playback function for review of conversations, notes & presentations
• Team-based learning for collaboration of projects
• Accessibility & usability
• Practical uses for academic advising [from @ericstoller]

As a recent invitee to Google Wave, I am still experimenting and sampling this new resource [with the help of The Complete Guide to Google Wave]. As more people receive invites and the beta version of Google Wave develops, educators will get involved and as they find value and potential for their profession.

For the Love of Google (& Learning)

When we first look for things online, we often turn to the popular search engine – Google.  But have you thought about what else Google can do for you?  Take a look at the various Google Apps that could be utilized for your practice in education, and an interesting article that supports use of Google  technology for learning.

Here are a few suggestions on how YOU can use Google as an educator with your learners or colleagues:

• Google Scholar: encourage scholary research & utilizing online publications for students and professional development; accurate & credible resources; also a fan of Google Book Search for similar use
• Google Earth: geo-tagging is all the rage in higher education; you may want to include Google Maps to this app to create collaborate landmarking & mapping
• Google Notebook:  Interested in keeping those searched websites in an orderly fashion?  Great for research & archiving
• Google Docs: store Word, PowerPoint & Excel documents online; share & collaborate with students, staff & faculty; excellent project management tool
• Google Calendar: keep track of assignments, itemize lesson plans visually, and more to help with better time management
• Blogger:  course contributions, themed journal writing, writing & development classes, and MORE!  Blogger has been used for a wide variety of contributions to learning. Here are some blog examples in Higher Ed.
• Google Sites: plan meetings or lessons, share information on a secure website, collaborate on projects, or stay connected to learning communities; similar to website or wiki development; easy to use 
• Google Reader:  lets you subscribe to web sites so that new content comes to you when it’s posted; similar to RSS feeds
• Google Talk: send instant text messages, voice and/or video conference, chat from desktop or Gmail, send documents, files or hyperlinks; easy way to host “office hours” from any location

Go forth and Google.