Google Story Builder

So we were discussing Google Story Builder yesterday during work and how it could be used in the classroom.  This is based on the concept of having two or more people working on one document within Google Docs.  Here is one of the promo videos that was made using the service.



One of the more powerful ways that emerged for use in the classroom that could be used to work on synonyms and antonyms.  You could create a script for the students on a handout and then have them visit Google Story Builder and find synonyms and antonyms for selected words and turn it into learning experience.  Other uses could also include famous moments in time between two people and how a conversation might have taken place.  One could use it as a discourse topic in government to show two opposing view points.  This project works best if you choose two or more characters and having working toward a greater good or having them debate a topic.   Your allowed to have 10 spots for conversations so you have a concise discussion in the telling of your story.

Husband:  I Love You!

Wife: (change the word love using a synonym)

Husband:  (change the new love word using a synonym)

Wife: Although I hate it when you do not wash the dishes.

Husband: (change the word hate using an antonym)

Wife: (Change the new “hate” word using an antonym again)  (then add) Anyway, let’s change teh subject.  Come help me find inspiration for your new book?

Husband: (Change the word inspiration and book using synonym) (and then add) Since your last book was horrible.

Wife: What?????

Husband:  (change horrible using an antonym) (and then add) Sorry (after what???)

Wife:  That’s more like it!


After you have the writing aspect down, they then provide you with theme music to enhance the situation to make it more dramatic as well.

Then share the goo.gl link and you are done.  There is no way to save your work.


This is what it would look like.

Google Reader

Google Reader is one of the top five services I use from Google on a regular basis as it helps me keep current on trends for education and all other topics I find of interest.  It is pretty easy to get started as you just have to find the url address for a web site copy it and the paste it into the big red subscribe button on your google reader home page.

There is a YouTube Google Reader Channel that offers up videos on the in's and out's of using Google Reader.

You can link to any RSS feed into your Google Reader account and then use Google reader or my personal choice "Feedly" to read all of your updates.

Once you find a good collection of feeds you can bundle them and share them on your website, Facebook page, blog or various other places you can use embed code.

Google Books and Magazines

Google Books and Magazines is a collection of books and magazines that are available to access for students and teachers. Some are complete works especially if they have a copyright date before 1923 and if the copyright is after 1923 it may be a complete copy or they may have a limited preview of the material. The limited preview could be upwards of 80% or more of the book or magazine.

There are curently 1 million books for download including what many people would consider the classics. Other books have a preview which means random papes are withheld from the preview. Although you can not see the entire book, you can get a feel for what is being presented and maybe be able to find valuable quotes for your research paper that you put off till the last minute and the library is closed.

If find an interesting book or magazine you can also embeded into your website or blog post at the page you found interesting.  Not all books and magazines can be embedded but you can link to some great resources that one can use in the classroom.




Some files that seem like they should embed just won't work properly but they do create a link to the google book or magazine page number so that you could post a link to an article you could have your students read and respond to for a class assignment as well.