At day 2 of Google’s I/O developer conference, the guys from the former Where 2 Tech, who helped Google create Google Maps, introduced a new communications tool. The new tool, Google Wave, was born out of the idea that we should be able to funnel all the different forms of web communication into one easy-to-use model. To begin using the tool, you create a “wave,” which uses rich-text, photos, videos, maps, and the like to create a mix of both conversation and document in one interface. You can invite others to join your “wave” so they can edit it and converse with you. The “wave” displays almost instantly any edits taking place by you or others. There is also a “playback” feature so you can see the “wave” progress from start to finish.

Think back to a time when you were in school. If you’re as young as me there were probably some old, broken computers in every classroom, each barely capable of running Windows 98, let alone anything worth while. Nowadays there’s computers in many classrooms and some might have projectors attached to the ceiling. That’s great and all, but what’s the point in all that technology if the students can’t use them?

eInstruction hopes to bring the tech into the hands of everyone in the classroom, whether it be elementary, high school or colleges. Its new product, the Interwrite Mobi System, provides a way for teachers and students to connect more easily through technology. The system gives students tablets that connect to the classroom’s network. The students can then answer questions, ask questions or interact more with the teacher instantly. The teacher then sees the responses and is able to tell who said what, so they can identify students that might need extra help, or those who completely understand the material.