Google for Education Resources

Why and How to Use Google in Education:

Free (or really cheap for Apps for Education compared to Microsoft) and less IT support needed. Also runs better on older computers. I recommend using Chrome browser too.
Easy to use - students and teachers probably use some of it already
All work together - all the apps work together and have similar menus and functions
Cloud based - backed up on Google’s servers, accessible from any computer and mobile device, runs fast, no lost flash drives or corrupted drives.
If you need to do it, there is probably a Google app for it.
Engage your students with Google+, Google Earth, classroom sites and blogs.
Have your students create new projects with a blog or site, Sketchup, Docs etc.
Keep informed and connected with Google+, Google Reader, and Google News
Search more efficiently with Scholar, Safesearch, and other custom searches.
Get organized with bookmarks, Calendar, Tasks and more.
Connect and Communicate with students, parents, and colleagues using Gmail and Google+.
Google+ Circles make it easy to sort who you share what with
Google+ Hangouts can be used for collaboration or study groups.
Collaborate on projects at same time using Docs (student projects, collaborative lesson plans, meeting notes and projects)
Chromebooks (Chrome OS) are great option for schools - no software or data on device, simple setup, multiple user accounts, automatic update, superfast boot time,
Docs eliminates need for flash drives, emailing versions, software issues (cloud stored, work collaboratively, export variety of formats, share online)
Google Voice - communicate with parents, email of messages, and more
Google Translate - translate work or memo’s for ELL students and parents. Mobile apps will translate spoken word too.
Docs can be used to store any file - free online file storage is a great thing.
There is a huge amount of resources from Google on using their apps in education.
There is a huge amount of resources, tips, ideas, and lessons for using Google’s apps in education from educators.
Use Sketchup to create 3D models for class, of classrooms and schools for remodeling, and more.
Upload, edit and share pictures with Picasa and Piknik
Shorten URLs with goo.gl and then track the useage of the shortened url.

Google Apps and Resources:

Chromebook Training - great resource for teachers and students getting started with Chromebooks and Google Apps http://goo.gl/m4rMV

Guide to Going Google for K12 - resources to get started with Google Apps for Education, from Google.
https://sites.google.com/a/googleapps.com/k12-guide-to-going-google/

Google for Educators Homepage: http://www.google.com/educators/index.html

Google in Education - one stop shopping for Google Education resources

Google Applications List: http://www.google.com/options/ All of Google's apps.

There are four different versions of Google Apps. Here's how Google explains them on their official blog.

Google Apps is our free service geared towards families, entrepreneurs and other groups up to 50 users.

Google Apps for Business offers 25GB of email storage per user, a 99.9% uptime guarantee, data migration capabilities, advanced management tools, telephone support, added security features and more, all for $50 per user per year.

Google Apps for Government is FISMA certified and designed with local, state and federal agencies in mind.

Google Apps for Education offers many benefits of Google Apps for Business, but at no cost to schools, universities and qualifying non-profits.

Presentation on Google for Educators

Why I use Google's Products as an Educator (and how)

Google Resources - Resources to highlight various ways to use Google Apps for instruction and student use
http://its.leesummit.k12.mo.us/google.htm

Google Apps for Education Training Center - http://edutraining.googleapps.com/Training-Home - great resources to learn how to use Google Apps in the classroom.

Google for Educators- Resources for using Google in School: http://goo.gl/4rEZd

Google Tools to Support Bloom’s Revised Taxonomy http://kathyschrock.net/googleblooms/

Google A-Z - Literally, all Google resources - http://goo.gl/mp993

Google Apps for Education - Guide to Going Google: http://goo.gl/00IJs

Google Tools for Schools - http://goo.gl/rzzsk

Google Apps for Education from ISTE11: http://iste2011.googleapps.com/