Google

In case you haven't noticed, Google has become one of the largest growing tech companies around. They aren't just about searching anymore. The have dozens of products, all of which are free (or at least have a free version!). I've listed some of the most useful tools to teachers.

Online

 * 1) [|Advanced Search]
 * 2) [|Google Docs] - An online Office-like suite that is totally FREE. It has a word processor (Word), spreadsheet (Excel), and the recently launched presentation program (PowerPoint). Some strengths of these programs include automatic saving, ability to access documents from any computer, collaborate with other users, and revert to previous versions of a file. ([|test])
 * 3) [|Google Custom Search Engine] - This is my favorite new tool. Select specific web sites for your students to search. Embed a search bar anywhere you want.
 * 4) [|Google Alerts] - Want to know every time a specific topic is mentioned out there on the web, here is your tool.
 * 5) [|iGoogle] - Set up a "home page" that can hold widgets of your choosing.
 * 6) [|Translate] - Seems decent - can anyone tell me how good it is?
 * 7) [|Calendar] - Personal, school or both. Share or keep private.
 * 8) [|News] - Collects news from around the word. See different perspectives on the same story. Customize the interface.
 * 9) [|Picasa] - Online web albums (like Flickr, but not blocked at school... yet). You can upload photos and embed a slide show of the images in your teacher web site (example). If you have a PC, they also have a Picasa client.

Offline (must download an application)

 * 1) [|Google Earth] - One of the coolest tools around. Fly through the world, embed historical maps, follow trials, etc.
 * [|Google Earth Hacks] - Layers and info for GE.
 * [|Google Earth User Guide]
 * [|Google Lit Trips]
 * [|Darfur Information> >>]
 * 1) [|Sketch Up] - An AutoCAD type program, but easier to use. A lot of architects actually do rough models in Sketch-up before moving on to a more sophisticated CAD program.

You can find the complete list [|here].