More Google goodness for educators

This time it's Google Australia that brings us a nice roundup of tools, lesson plans, and ideas for using cloud-based tools in the classroom. Their blog highlights several activities at schools in New Zealand and Australia where teachers take advantage of Google's applications to

create an e-portfolio, allowing students to record, archive and share their work with peers, parents, class, school and the world – and showcased how developing projects using Google applications has the potential to bring teachers and students together by making them part of a "global community".

In particular, Google Docs is used across the board by students, teachers, and staff at one school

to help staff collaborate on team meeting agendas, track meeting minutes and manage their budgets. The school also uses Google Docs in the classroom to help children as young as seven get organised and receive immediate peer feedback on class presentations through online forms.

One point that will resonate with parents regardless of the hemisphere in which they reside is the use of blogging to "allow students to discuss key events and helping parents break through the typical 'What did you do at school today?' silence."

While these initiatives are interesting in and of themselves, the blog also contains links to a variety of extra educational resources. These materials range from extensive lessons in computer science with a mathematical bent for primary school kids to a Google Maps activity studying the Crusades.