Google Alerts: helps you keep up-to-date with the latest news, current events or the topic of your choice. Simply enter your search terms, choose options and enter your email address – it’s that simple.

Google will send you an email if any information related to your topic is added to a webpage, somewhere. Try “Parkes NSW” as your search term to receive up-to-date information on Parkes.

(http://www.google.com. au/alerts/)

Google Notebook: allows users to store snippets of information, URL’s, notes or images found whilst browsing – just like an old-fashioned-notepad, except interactive with the ability to collaborate with others.

A good tool if you are part of a group researching a topic and want to store all the information you have collected, in one location – making it accessible from any computer.

(http://www.google.co m.au/notebook/)

Google Calendar: not only does this calendar allow you to organise your own schedule but sharing means others can use it too: good when you are planning events, trying to keep a busy family organised or need reminders; via your mobile.

(http://www.google.com. au/calendar/)

Google Docs: allows you to create basic documents, spreadsheets and presentations online – instead of emailing documents between people, allow people to work on the same document, at once.

It means you don’t end up with multiple copies of the same document and groups can edit the document at any time. There’s also a range of templates to get you started and on your way to being creative, collaborative and clever.

(http://docs.google.com /)

The advantage of using online tools such as notebooks, calendars and storage is: you have access from any computer or device with the internet; and you have the ability to share with others – it’s all about collaboration.

The disadvantage is you need a speedy internet connection and not everyone has one of those.