iGoogle

=[|iGoogle]=


 * Not available after November 1, 2013.****

Users’ personalized Google page.

** Resources links ** What is [|iGoogle]? Instructions on [|how to make an iGoogle gadget] [|Create own gadget] [|Create and example of gadget] [|Add "Toggl Timer gadget" to your iGoogle page] [|Blog about why people love iGoogle]

** SWOT ** Analysis
** Strengths **
 * Free
 * Users’ gadget can run on other sites and products such as iGoogle or any webpage.
 * Can display gadgets by your style.
 * Adding and deletion of gadgets are easy.
 * Take iGoogle with you on mobile phone
 * Can add news, photos, weather, and stuff from across the web to your page.
 * The RSS direct load feature on some news groups is excellent
 * Lets you have your own portal of information
 * Easy to access on one page (brings everything to you so you don't have to search)
 * Allows users to blog from here, access Google Reader and Gmail
 * There are gadgets out there for basically anything you might want!
 * Make it your homepage with all the days info needed to start the day.
 * Google websearch engine is at the top of the page.
 * Able to access from almost anywhere
 * Easy set-up
 * Shows email subjects and number of unread email
 * Easily embed video
 * Shows online status and availibility of others for text or video chat
 * The ability to add Google Bookmarks as a gadget allows the user to take their bookmarks with them wherever they go.Now, your bookmarks aren’t restricted to the computer you initially put them on.This is great for working at home or sharing links with others when you aren’t close to your teacher computer.

** Weaknesses ** :
 * It requires a Google account and Gmail address
 * Can not see several tools at one time such Blog, Picasa, etc.
 * The new tab version has only allowed me to have Google created themes carry over.
 * At times when I had many gadgets, my computer slowed down substantially.
 * Initial set up can be time consuming
 * Potential to slow down computer
 * If you add too many gadgets to your page, the chance of crashing your browser will increase.
 * Not easy to understand how to change or save changes.
 * In April, 2009 there is some trouble with [| secure https: webmail]
 * No control over what type of random video video applications like youtube.com will place on your homepage

**Opportunities:**
 * Users make own gadget
 * Can share your gadget
 * Users can change the main theme on iGoogle.
 * Users can see different information at one place such as calendar, weather or news.
 * Can load Textbooks online
 * Can easily access your site and keep up to date no matter where you are

** Threats **


 * No password is needed in order to open iGoogle onto a users browser. People who gain access to a user's browser will also gain access to all their iGoogle information.
 * Malicious gadgets - iGoogle gadgets and themes are provided by third partiesMalicious.
 * Students can gain access to gadgets that are not kid friendly.
 * The Google search engine is always at the top of the page so students have access to search anything on the internet. Teachers may want to monitor students' use of the search engine.

** Ideas for the classroom **
 * Educators add the TAB and display follow the lesson with gadget
 * Through users’ gadget, users can surf the web site. When user needs more information.
 * [|How to Create an iGoogle Classroom Homepage] - Teachers can create a different tab for each subject they teach and use a projector to create an iGoogle classroom homepage for class announcements, assignment due dates, bookmarked site, recent topic specific news, etc.
 * Elementary teachers can complete the morning meeting from iGoogle
 * Communication with parents via the calendar
 * Students can study weather patterns from the homepage
 * Each student can design their own gadget.
 * See everything at a glance. I love having my Google Reader on my iGoogle page so I can see instant updates to my students' blogs.
 * [|One teacher's blog about using iGoogle] This blog has a description of how a high school teacher incorporated iGoogle into her Language Arts class.
 * Students can stay informed of news and current events.
 * Teachers can post images and links to reading activities students can do in class or at home.
 * Students can follow blog postings from the teacher about homework assignments. Reflective questions can be posted on these blogs and students can keep up to date of these on iGoogle. Students follow at link to respond in the comment section of the blog
 * Health/P.E. instructor may use an iGoogle “Classroom Homepage” to develop tools to help students research, survey, experiment and carry out a “Healthy Lifestyles” project (they can find gadgets on calorie counting, health articles, food recipes, exercise regimens, etc...)
 * Quote of the day
 * Problem of the day
 * Word of the day
 * Student of the day
 * Leaders for the month
 * Show daily schedule
 * Riddles
 * Students can use the weather tracking for either forecasting or daily logging or following a storm
 * Students or teachers can use the translation feature

** Examples of Uses in the Classroom **
 * ** [|Weather on iGoogle] **
 * [|Reading Strategies using iGoogle]
 * //Uses of iGoogle in Spanish classroom (gr. 9 – 12) –Fran S.// : Students utilize a "Classroom Homepage" and a "Personal iGoogle page" written in the target language in order to learn the target language