In the last few years, Google has not only become a common noun, but a verb as well. Can’t find something, “Google it”. As one of the most widely used search engines, Google has become a tool we can’t seem to live without. While most of us are handy at using Google to quickly search for answers to life’s questions, we may not realize the potential applications offered by this cutting-edge company.

I sat down with a teacher last night who was selected as one of 150 teachers in the US to attend a training for educators sponsored by Google. She painted an enticing picture of the Google workplace, complete with a rejuvenation station every 6 cubicles or so. A stocked refrigerator and snack cupboard, a hammock and a relaxing environment, all set up with the expectation that if employees are tired or need some nutritious energy, they’ll come refuel here. According to this teacher, Google gives employees 20% of their day to do whatever they like, with the intent of creating an environment that fosters creative thinking and a productive work ethic. And it sure must be working!

Google has not only made work easier for its employees, but for you as well. Here’s a great way to stay updated on current information from your favorite websites, without having to hop around from site to site. Use iGoogle RSS feeds to bring updated information, about issues of interest to you, straight to your home page.

  1. Get a free iGoogle account. Go to www.igoogle.com
  2. Click on “Add Stuff” which should be found in the upper right hand corner of your screen.
  3. Click “Add feed or gadget”, on the lower left hand side of your screen.
  4. A window will appear with a box that says “Type or Paste the URL Below”. Paste the exact web address for the site that you wish to get updates from. For example, I want to get updates from the education section of the New York Times. So I went to that website (http://www.nytimes.com/pages/education/), copied the address, and pasted into the box mentioned before.
  5. Go back to your iGoogle home page. On the left you’ll see a menu bar that lists all of the items which will show up on your home page. Want your RSS feeds to be on the top, just click and drag them above the others in this list.
  6. A final note: Sites that do not support RSS feeds will prompt a “Not Found” response when you enter the address on iGoogle.

This may seem simple, but you’ve now saved yourself the time of going directly to your regular sites. Any time new information is posted, a link will now appear on your iGoogle home page.

Happy learning!