Let's have fun with Google!

Creating a Google Account

In order to use most of the Google Tools, you must have a Google/Gmail account.

https://www.google.com/accounts/NewAccount

iGoogle

Customized home page for Google- you can combine all of your Google products plus much more on one page.

http://www.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=25551

Google Docs

Google login required.  Up to 200 people can contribute to the shared document.  Create web-based word processor and spreadsheet files.  Supports uploads of your documents in a variety of file formats including DOC, XLS, ODT, ODS, RTF, CSV, PPT, etc.  Able to track revisions.

To access this feature:

• go to google.com
• click the more link in the top menu bar
• click the documents link

 Or go to documents.google.com.

For Instructions on how to use Google Docs: http://documents.google.com/support/

Google Custom Search

Google login required to create a custom search.  Up to 100 people can collaborate to add sites to the search engine.  Search results are limited to the sites you have added to the custom search engine.

To access this feature:

• go to google.com
• click the more link in the top menu bar
• click the even more link
• Custom Search is in the Explore and innovate section

Expanding Your Horizons is a custom search engine that "helps nurture girls' interest in science, technology, engineering, and math".

Google Scholar  is an example of a custom search engine.  Focuses on scholarly literature such as "peer-reviewed papers, theses, books, abstracts and articles, from academic publishers, professional societies, preprint repositories, universities and other scholarly organizations."

Google Calculator

Enter your matematical expression or conversion request in the Google Search field.  Press enter or click Search and the answer will be displayed in the results window.  The calculator can solve math problems, convert units of measure, etc. 

For details, visit http://www.google.com/help/calculator.html

Google Search Tips

• Use the Google command structure to limit searches to certain countries (site:tr for sites originating in Turkey) or certain types of sites (host:ac.uk for academic sites): http://www.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=469&topic=13913
• Advanced search will limit results to certain extensions (like .edu) or Spanish
• In a keyword search results window, click the Cached link instead of the site title to open the page with keywords highlighted.

Google Maps

Create personalized, annotated maps and share them with friends & family or the world. Browse a directory of interactive content that you can add to Google Maps. 

Google Earth

Google Earth combines the power of Google Search with satellite imagery, maps, terrain and 3D buildings to put the world's geographic information at your fingertips.

Google Lit Trips

Go to http://googlelittrips.com to explore the available texts.  Must have Google Earth installed.

Download the .kmz file then travel to locations from the book.  Click markers to view location details, suggested web sites, page/chapter references, etc. 

Many Lit Trips were created by students.