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It was a long summer and many people were outside at the beach or on a hiking trail or some other non-computer-friendly location. So you may have missed the changes that took place at Google over the summer. Here is a highlight of some of the more pertinent things that could affect how you conduct work.
New Map App
Google has updated their map application, and I’m really excited about it. It is so easy to use, very intuitive and interactive. They have integrated many features from their rich map database. You can have a lot of fun with this tool. Here is a map I made of some of
my favorite spots in Duluth. It took me about 10 minutes to put this together with no instruction on how to use the application. I think you will be able to tell how I organized points.
To learn more about Google Maps Engine and to take a tour visit:
https://mapsengine.google.com/map/
New Linking Policy
Google has changed their policy on linking within websites. They no longer allow for the use of paid advertising links. This likely will affect blogs the most, but could also affects sites such as
The Huffington Post,
Forbes.com, and other news, journalism, and news aggregator sites that allow advertorials or native advertising. These are marketed, sponsored articles that look like real articles from the publisher but are, in fact, advertisements. They may be identified as advertising or sponsored content. Google wants these advertisement links to be no-follow links or they will penalize the site.
For more information, see Google’s new
Link Schemes policy.
Be Part of History
Google partnered with web developers from Organic and Unit9 for the National Park Foundation to bring the experience of the March of Washington to your mobile device. You can record yourself speaking Dr. King’s words. You can also play back other participants’ recordings as a “crowd-sourced narrative of voices.” Visit
wearestillmarching.com on a mobile device to test it with your students or on your own.
