Ogle Google for Some Cool Cell Phone Tools

Students and teachers can now perform many Google searches using the text messaging feature on their cell phones. There is no addition cost for performing these searches other than normal texting charges, and is available via all of the major cell phone providers.

To use the Google SMS (short messaging service), or text messaging, simply enter “Google” (46645) in the “To:” section of your new message. Then, to perform a simple search, enter any of the following queries into the body of the message:

So, students can look up science terms on their cell phones, or find out how far it is from Richmond, VA to Gettysburg for Social Studies, or determine the number of meters the circumference of the earth is if they know the mileage. Likewise, parents and teachers can do comparative shopping for the holidays via their cell phones, find the nearest pharmacy, or get directions to a high school located across the state.

Go ahead! Be creative! Have some fun! And explore how text messaging on the cell phone can support your efforts in the classroom. You could even create a scavenger hunt activity to do using the cell phone. So introduce yourself, and your students, to another valuable educational resource ready for them at the click of a button. Ogle Google… You may be surprised at what you find!

For additional thoughts and opinions on this topic, read International Society for Technology in Education's article "Should Cell Phones Be Banned from the Classroom?"