Posted by David Wetzel
Google is not just useful for conducting searches for information on the Internet. In fact, it can be used and manipulated with cool and tricks in ways which help you and your students search for information about science and math with more effectiveness. Along with all subject areas students are engaged in school.
The following are tips and tricks designed to help you and your science or math students take advantage of Google’s search engine.
Searching for Information
Exact Phrase – often students’ search efforts on the Internet a wasted by using phrases which results in the need to sort through useless information to find what they are searching. This can be eliminated by using “…” to narrow the search to an exact phrase.
Example: “photosynthesis”
Calculator - the next time you or your students need to do a quick calculation, instead of bringing up the Calculator applet, using a calculator, or pencil and paper. Just type your expression in to Google:
Example: 48512 * 1.02
Similar Words and Synonyms - let’s say you are want to include a word in your search; however, you want to include results that contain similar words or synonyms. To do this, use the “~” in front of the word.
Example: polynomial ~math
Word Definitions - if you need to quickly look up the definition of a word or phrase, simply use the “define:” command.
Example: define: newtons
Math Calculations – your students can use the search box as scientific calculator for metric conversions, unit conversions, and money conversions.
Example: sqrt(10) which represents square root of 10
Another Example : 5*9+(sqrt 10)^3= results in the answer 76.6227766
Measurement – your students can search for equivalent measurements.
Example: kg in pound which represents 1 pound = 0.45359237 kilograms
Another Example: how many teaspoons are in a tablespoon
Local Weather – you can use the search box to find the current weather in any city, anywhere in the world.
Example: weather Hong Kong
Wonder Wheel: A Search Thesaurus
Wonder Wheel is located in the left side panel on the Google search page. This wheel (of wonder) shows related search terms to the current searched query. It enables you or your students to explore relevant search terms which might be the ones you originally wanted to search for, or simply give you more options to gain more information.
Example: biomes
Time Lines
Time Line is located in the left side panel on the Google search page, below Wonder Wheel. This Google application provides a timeline of all relevant events (date, person, event, etc.) related to a specific timeline.
Example: mathematicians
Another Example: recycling
A Third Example: global warming
Specific Domains
Most websites have a .com domain name. Sometimes it’s better to restrict student searches to other domains, such as .edu or .net. This ensures students to not stray to undesired areas of the Internet, also helping them to focus on specific resources.
Example: site:edu biomes
Another Example: site:gov algebra
A Third Example: site:net algebra help
Comparisons
This search tool offers students the ability to complete “better than” searches for comparing something against other known information, products, or services.
Example: better than recycling
Another Example: better than equilaterals
These Google search engine tools not only make a teacher’s job easier, they are useful for students in completing homework, projects, or other science and math activities.
These tips and tricks should be taught to students, because it is something they can use both during school and after their school years.
Another Google Resource
How to Integrate Google Docs into Science and Math Like a Pro
Posted by David Wetzel
Google Docs offer an advanced set of collaboration and communication tools to help your students acquire the skills necessary to help them soar, in their education and out in the world. There is no hardware to maintain or software to install.
Unique features include:
- accessible from any computer anywhere with the Internet.
- multiple students or teachers can edit a document, spreadsheet, or presentation at the same time.
- the ability to embed videos from Vimeo and Animoto, along with images from Flickr or other sources.
- the ability to embed podcasts in presentations.
Science and Math Activities
The following are tips and ideas for using Google Docs in science and math classrooms.
Science Experiments - Students:
- write a collaborative lab report using Google Documents (word processing) and embed in a class website or Wiki.
- students collect scientific data (i.e., plant growth data) over a period of time using a Google Spreadsheet.
- prepare a group collaborative Google Presentation to present their findings and conclusions.
- they share their lab report, presentation, data, pictures, and spreadsheet with other students within their class, different classes in the school, and other schools in the district or across the country.
Math Investigations - Students:
- create a survey in Google Spreadsheets to ask other students to determine the number of times they send and receive text messages during a day.
- then they have two options - insert the data in another a Google Spreadsheet or allow the data to automatically update a spreadsheet as survey responses are received (teachers choice).
- prepare a group collaborative Google Presentation to present their findings and conclusions.
- they share their survey findings, presentation, and spreadsheet with other students within their class, different classes in the school, and other schools in the district or across the country.
The data collected from the survey has additional purposes such as determining mean, median, and mode.
Self Assessment Survey - Students complete an end of grading period or group project self-assessment survey using Google Spreadsheets created by their teacher. Their answers are automatically recorded in a spreadsheet which is only viewable by their teacher. Sample survey questions include:
- Thoughtfully completes work: Always, Mostly, Sometimes, or Never.
- Participates in class discussions: Always, Mostly, Sometimes, or Never.
- Contributes to group work and discussions: Always, Mostly, Sometimes, or Never.
- Gives best effort in class: Always, Mostly, Sometimes, or Never.
- Visits unapproved websites when using computers: Always, Mostly, Sometimes, or Never.
Additional Ideas for Using Google Docs in the Classroom
The following are ideas for classroom use.
- Group collaboration and creativity as students record their group projects together in a single document.
- Keep track of grades, attendance, or any other data you can think of using an easily accessible, always available spreadsheet.
- Create quizzes and tests using spreadsheets forms, your students’ timestamped answers will arrive neatly ordered in a spreadsheet.
- Encourage collaborative presentation skills by asking your students to work together on a shared presentation, then present it to the class.
- Collaborate on a document with colleagues to help track the status and success of students you share.
- Maintain, update and share lesson plans over time in a single document.
- Track and organize cumulative project data in a single spreadsheet.
How to Create a Survey
To create a survey form, either students or teacher, click on the “share” button on any Google Spreadsheet.
Then select the option “to fill out a form”.
Now start creating a survey form.
You can select multiple choices, text, choose from a list, paragraph text, or check boxes for options.
Answers are date and time stamped for validation.
Setting Up a Student Accounts
If your students already have email addresses, have them sign up for a Google Account using their own or school assigned e-mail account.
If your students do not have an email address, have students set up a free Gmail account (13 and older). You may want to consider signing up for the free Google Apps Education Edition (between now and July 31, 2010 to sign up students under age 13.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Google Docs Keyboard Short Cuts
Google Docs Keyboard Short Cuts for Spreadsheets
Additional Resource
Google Docs are a Free Online Educational Tool
Posted by David Wetzel
This is third and final installment on “Tips and Tricks for Podcasting” and focuses on GarageBand.
Garageband is a powerful software program for creating podcasts and offers enough sophistication to allow you to produce quality recordings.
Now let’s take a look at some tips and tricks for GarageBand.
Create a Template
Creating a podcast template in GarageBand saves hours of work. This is especially important when creating numerous podcasts for yourself or when working with students.
To create a podcast template:
- Select “Save as…” under file menu
- Then select “Create a Template”when editing a podcast session
It is important to create all the essential elements which will be part of every podcast. You will still have the ability to add any unique elements you need for a specific podcast in the future.
Enhancing Audio
Although you may have taken many precautions to prevent noise from sources other than a speaker when recording, some will probably still be present.
Some tips and tricks to make a voice recording crystal clear include the following:
- To add a new effect, open “Track Info Pane,” then go to “Edit” tab and click on the empty spot that says, “Click here to add an effect”.
- Select “Speech Enhancer” for reducing noise background noise. It is preset for female/male voices and can be stacked to reduce of eliminate a loud noises.
- Select “AUBandPass” for filter high-pitched voices or enhancing a boring voice in an audio recording.
Adding and Editing Markers
If you want to upload podcasts to iTunes or other hosting services you will need to add markers to your podcast recordings.
When you add a marker to a podcast, it appears in the podcast track as a marker region.
Marker regions show how long the artwork or URLs you add to a marker last, and you can move them or re-size them to change their duration.
To begin - select a podcast track.
The podcast track appears above the other tracks in the timeline, and the editor opens showing the marker list, with columns for the start time, artwork, chapter title, URL title, and URL for each marker.
Note: A podcast can have either a podcast track or a video track, but not both. If you try to show the podcast track for a project that contains a video track, a dialog appears asking if you want to replace the video track with a podcast track.
To add a marker:
- Move the play-head to the place where you want to add the marker.
- Click the “Add Marker” button.
The marker appears in the editor, and the start time for the marker appears in the Time column in the marker’s row. The marker also appears as a marker region in the podcast track.
You can edit marker regions just like other regions in the timeline to control when artwork and URLs appear and how long they are visible when you play the podcast.
Recording Levels
Watch your voice recording levels to prevent clipping. This is accomplished by ensuring strong recording levels do not enter the red zone.
In a digital world, recording meters which enter red zones result in clipping. Clipping causes broken and intermittent audio.
If you need to increase audio levels, do so after during editing.
Keyboard Short Cuts
Learning keyboard shortcuts can save a lot of time when recording, editing, and uploading. Check out the keyboard short cuts here.
Creating a Video Podcast
Creating a video podcast is similar to creating an audio podcast, except that the video podcast includes a video file and does not include artwork.
Use following steps to create video podcast:
- Send an iMovie project to GarageBand or import a video file from the Media Browser.
- Create the podcast audio in GarageBand.
When you have created your video podcast in GarageBand, you can send it to iWeb or export it to your website, blog, or wiki.
These are fundamental tips and tricks are not intended to be all inclusive, if you have others feel free to share them in the comments section for others to see.
Additional Resources
Tips and Tricks for Podcasting - Part 1
Tips and Tricks for Podcasting - Part 2
