Google Communities in the Classroom
Google+ Communities allow users to to share and discuss topic that are of interest to them. For educators this is a very useful tool for sharing lessons plans, resources, and other types of information.
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One Google+ Community I joined is called Educational Technology Community. This community has many links to a website called Educational Technology and Mobile Learning which includes many lists of tools and apps for educators that are integrating technology into their classrooms. I clicked on a link simply titled "10 Easy Ways to Integrate Technology into Your Classroom." From there I discovered a new app called Google Earth VR flyover in Apple Maps. This was described as a tool to run a virtual field trip. I thought this would be very useful as a future Social Studies teacher because I could show my class certain buildings and locations from all over the world without leaving the classroom.
Another tool I discover that would be useful in my Social Studies classroom was an app called Critical Thinking Basic from the page on Educational Technology and Mobile Learning titled "10 Very Good iPad Apps to Develop Students Critical Thinking Skills." This app allows users to explore their thoughts and reasoning for certain ideas and also improve their critical thinking skills. In history and Social Studies critical thinking is an essential skill when examining different people and cultures so this app may help students work on this ability. |