Now that summer’s almost over, it’s time to think about the new school year that is rapidly approaching. Essays, quizzes and classes in the morning make us want to live forever in the summer, but sadly it’s not possible. So, what to do? Well, we strap on our learning caps and we march head on, but with a difference. The difference this year is that we can use some really nice tools that the web has given us, and when I say “the web”, what I actually mean is “Google”.
How is Google going to help us?
Well, the Internet giant, Google, has lots of tools that many of us will find very useful and educative. And with their help, the school year will pass like a summer rain. Now, let’s take a look at what Google has to offer in order for us to have a more relaxed year.
Google Tools for Students
You all know that web is filled up with free resources for anyone to use, also, a great resource for anyone is the deep web, but that is a place where information is found very hard and it requires lots of time to filter out the unnecessary information. Let’s look closer to home. How close? Well, fire up your browser, but don’t go to your normal bookmarks or your Facebook page, just visit the Google Search Engine. On that bar at the top of your screen you will see a list of great tools that have hidden potential and save you lots of time during the school year. Here are a few examples of how Google can help you prepare for the year to come:
Google +. Yes, the social networking site offered by Google can be a great way to study sessions by using Video Hangouts or Events and Calendars to plan in advance what you will be doing the entire semester and know when your study buddies are free. Google Drive. The cloud service offered by Google where you can keep your documentation, take notes in class and visit them at home, write essays and share your documents with others. Also, you might know that Google Docs offers you the possibility to write a document with other at the same time or research the web while writing, with the “Research” feature (Ctrl+Alt+R is the shortcut for this feature). YouTube. The video sharing site that Google bought a long time ago is now one of best known names on the web. Offering you plenty of information on any subject, and also the EDU channel where you can find courses on just about any field. Google News and Google Reader. I grouped these two together because they both offer you the best news only seconds from publishing. For many, being the first to find out about something is crucial, and these tools both have that capacity.
Google Play. Ah, yes! The almighty Play Market where you can find apps for basically any task you need. Also, the new Play Books feature gives you thousands of books for free, so you can download and read to your heart’s content. Also, Google Books is also available for desktop users alike, so don’t be disappointed if you do not own a Galaxy S III. Google Maps. It’s important to know where you are at all times, and if you are just starting your freshman year, then walking around a new city can be a daunting task. Luckily for you, Google Maps with street view can help you get accommodated to a new city even before you move there! Also, a new feature is the Indoor Maps, which shows you a map of the malls or the big shopping centers, where is very easy to get lost. Google Now. The new feature implemented in the Android Jelly Bean OS groups all the relevant information for you in one place and it makes it easily accessible. All you need to know, virtually at the tips of your fingers. Google Search Engine. the Google search engine offers those who know how to use it properly an array of tools and plenty of information. From graph calculators, unit converters and much more, these tools come in handy at all times and can give users lots of help. Google Chrome. The Chrome browser and the Chrome OS implemented in the Chromebooks offer great productivity apps for users, the Chrome store is full of free tools that help you pass with flying colors the school year.
These are the most important tools that Google puts at our disposal, but apart from these, there are lots more. All of these give you the upper edge when it comes to learning, and by using them properly, you can gain the advantage in the school year that is almost here. Not so bad now, right?
