Class 6: Google Fun!

Last class we began with some fun applications from Google.  This week we're going to play with some more!


Google Reader
Google Reader is a great place to collect blogs like the ones you looked at last week.  Sometimes you might not have time to traipse all over the web looking for what our friends or other interesting personalities wrote, so having one website with all your favorite blogs on it is definitely a time-saver.  


If you have a Mac, you might want a program like Gruml.  This gets downloaded onto your computer and allows you access to your blogs from Google Reader.  Just as for any program you want to download, ask your parent or guardian if it's all right first.


Assignment: Sign in using your Google account.  Add Book Talk with Mrs. Bender to your Google Reader.


iGoogle
For a fun way to look at blogs-and everything else you're interested in--check out iGoogle. iGoogle is, basically, a website designed by you for you.  It can be your homepage every time you sign in!  Google has all sorts of fun things to go on your homepage: movie showtimes, weather, news, comics, and much, much more.  


Assignment: Create an iGoogle page.  Include Google Reader and Google Docs.


Google Products
Google Products has a ton of programs and applications you can use.  You can read free ebooks, look at your house on Google Earth, and compare the trends like which is more popular: vampires or zombies?  Check them all out.


Assignment:  Search Google's vast array of applications.  Using Google Trends, which IS more popular today, vampires or Zombies?  Which is the #1 city by zombie?