6 Google Tools for Teachers

Google and Google Chrome are some of my favorite things on the Internet.  I mean, Google has become it's own verb.

My love for Google has lead me to create a list of some of the things I love the most...

1. Define ___________
As you can see above, if you type define and a word, Google gives you the definition nearly instantly!  This is one of the tips that I teach my kiddos when they are struggling with the definition of something.

2. Google the Spellchecker
I'll be one of the first to admit...sometimes spelling is hard.  Monday mornings and Friday afternoons being some of the most difficult times in a week to spell.  If you type a word into Google and spell it wrong, it gives you the correct spelling and runs a search with the correct spelling.

3. Quick and Easy Timer
When I trying to pace things or use transitions in my classroom, I use the Google timer.  I open a new tab, type "10 Minute Timer," and hit enter.  The timer automatically starts!  Its a great tool for me because I can help students and not worry about watching the clock.

4. Google Calculator
I'm not a math teacher, so I don't require calculators in my classroom.  However, when we do our business math unit, I need them!  One quick and easy tool is to use the Google Calculator.  Students will also use the installed Windows calculator or their phones, but this is a quick option.  Google will also do math problems that you type in the search bar.  Try it!

5. Google Translate
My school is very diverse and some of my parents have limited English skills.  If I'm aware of this, I will try to send communications home in their native language (most often is Spanish for me).  Google Translate is a great way to translate brief messages!  I will caution you that this is more formal Spanish and doesn't really consider dialects, but it can get the point across.  I will typically have a student who is bilingual read through it and let me know if I have the general gist of the message.  It also has a speaking function so you can hear what it should sound like.

6. Specific Search
This weekend, I was creating a PowerPoint presentation about banking and was looking for YouTube videos showing students how to fill out deposit slips, record transactions in a checkbook, etc.  I could type my search parameters in Google and add the word YouTube to see only results from YouTube.  This is a great shortcut for me!

These six tips barely scratch the surface of all the things Google can do.  Here are 17 Google hacks (I've mentioned some, but there are others!) you can use. 

What are some of your favorite Google search tips?