iGoogle is a Personal Learning Environment (PLE) by Google. The site is password protected, but can be populated with public Web 2.0 tools like Google Reader, Blogger, and Google Docs. iGoogle is a site where URL's can be kept - all on one page, including RSS feeds, Bookmarks, Documents, Facebook, Twitter, ToDo lists, Delicious Bookmarks, and links. This PLE is a way to organize one's own learning.
To use iGoogle, a Google Mail account must be created first (URL located below). After entering Gmail, choose "Web" from the links at the top of the Gmail home page. If iGoogle doesn't open immediately, choose iGoogle from the links at the top. The iGoogle page that opens can be revised to meet one's own needs by clicking and deleting or moving items already populating the page. Items preferred can be added to the iGoogle site by clicking to add tabs and items.
I plan to teach to use iGoogle in all my classes. My Earth Science students could benefit to collect and organize information about earth including help organizations for endangered species, research and development of alternative fuels, and up-to-date information on global warming issues. My English Language Development students could benefit by collecting helpful tools for translators and photos or pictures (like with Flickr).
My Technology students could benefit by organizing information that could be used in all their regular classes, as well as learning about other Web 2.0 tools. This class would be my focus for setting up a PLE and learning about and implementing other Web 2.0 tools for use beyond the classroom. To me, this is one of the best possible tools we, as educators, could provide to our students: useful tools that go with them beyond the classroom and school. A PLE, such as iGoogle, is just such a useful tool for students to take with them beyond the classroom and school.
mail.google.com/mail/signup
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