The google experience:
When I heard the word "Google" my initial reaction was "Yup! I know all about google... just a quick search engine that sometimes helps you find something you are looking for". Little did I realize that "Google" could be SO much more than that.
An Overview of Google Tools
On a basic level the tools that you can use to create documents and posters are a mere substitution for other applications available. They are comparable to word or pages in their ability to put together a document or poster. Tools such as spell check, font, and images are fairly similar and do not offer you a greater functionality in google than in any other application. However google does not stop at the basic components.
It is a clear enhancement to the functionality that google will auto-save these documents for you to access from any computer with WIFI access. The ability to then share these documents, presentations, and forms, allowing others to edit, comment, and view brings these tools to an even higher level of learning. One could argue this addition is what finally enters us into global learning. These tools support and encourage collaboration between groups that may not have been able to work together before. It allows us to cross boundaries of time and space to learn from and with our colleagues and peers.
New Tools to Me
Google Docs, Drawing and Slides were all very familiar to me, but google forms was a whole new application to me. I have filled out surveys online before, but I did not realize how easy it could be to create and manage them. I felt very "professional" when I viewed my own survey online and could see many uses for how this can be used in the classroom. It is a great way to start off the school year with parents, it could be easily accessed and filled out as a beginning of the year survey and the results are so easy to view. I love that it puts the results all in one place that I can easily view and keep. I could even make it a link on my classroom website and invite the parents to view it in my opening letter.
I can also see how it would be helpful to use in the classroom as well. You could use it as a quiz after a mini-unit. Answers would be very easy to check and you could identify areas of weakness within a unit. I am not sure yet whether or not I can require 5th graders to do homework "online", as not all students are allowed internet access, but it could possibly be used in the computer lab or as part of their morning work to fill out as they entered in the morning, especially if it was brief.
In the Classroom
I am very excited about using GOOGLE Slides in the classroom. I understand why it was so important to try it out with a colleague in order to understand the full extent to which it can be utilized. When I first signed in I viewed it as any other "PowerPoint" type application and began designing my project. Then all of a sudden Tracy's picture popped up and I realized she was viewing it as well. Next I noticed that I could see exactly what she was working on and the changes she made in "real-time". I could even open up a chat window to discuss ideas that we had. I believe that the implications of this are tremendous.
I have a student in my class that is not able to work in a group due to social difficulties. Students are reluctant to work with him because of his behaviors even though intellectually he is very strong. With Google Slides he could be put in a group and work on a presentation with a classroom aid prompting and guiding him at the computer. This would give him a level playing field socially. She would be able to remind him to not "write" or "talk" over someone and guide him on how to share his ideas appropriately. If he needed breaks he could stand up, move around, walk away, without disrupting the rest of the group.
SAMR Model
Finally, I believe that all teachers could benefit from hearing about the SAMR model. As I listened to the descriptors I realized that much of what I use for technology is just a substitution for other tools or at best an augmentation. I think that viewing the model gives me motivation and a goal to look for ways that I can move from mere enhancement of my lessons to transformation of my lessons through technology integration. As with Blooms taxonomy there is value to the enhancement level, however it is important not to stop there. I think that Westford's model of integration does encourage this transformation level because it focuses on collaboration which I believe is integral to the higher level thinking. The missing piece I believe is the time that is needed to fully carry out this model. More time for technology and collaboration will be integral to fully move to the next level. Teachers need education on what is available and students need time to practice and reinforce technology skills before they can apply them to new learning.
It is a clear enhancement to the functionality that google will auto-save these documents for you to access from any computer with WIFI access. The ability to then share these documents, presentations, and forms, allowing others to edit, comment, and view brings these tools to an even higher level of learning. One could argue this addition is what finally enters us into global learning. These tools support and encourage collaboration between groups that may not have been able to work together before. It allows us to cross boundaries of time and space to learn from and with our colleagues and peers.
New Tools to Me
Google Docs, Drawing and Slides were all very familiar to me, but google forms was a whole new application to me. I have filled out surveys online before, but I did not realize how easy it could be to create and manage them. I felt very "professional" when I viewed my own survey online and could see many uses for how this can be used in the classroom. It is a great way to start off the school year with parents, it could be easily accessed and filled out as a beginning of the year survey and the results are so easy to view. I love that it puts the results all in one place that I can easily view and keep. I could even make it a link on my classroom website and invite the parents to view it in my opening letter.
I can also see how it would be helpful to use in the classroom as well. You could use it as a quiz after a mini-unit. Answers would be very easy to check and you could identify areas of weakness within a unit. I am not sure yet whether or not I can require 5th graders to do homework "online", as not all students are allowed internet access, but it could possibly be used in the computer lab or as part of their morning work to fill out as they entered in the morning, especially if it was brief.
In the Classroom
I am very excited about using GOOGLE Slides in the classroom. I understand why it was so important to try it out with a colleague in order to understand the full extent to which it can be utilized. When I first signed in I viewed it as any other "PowerPoint" type application and began designing my project. Then all of a sudden Tracy's picture popped up and I realized she was viewing it as well. Next I noticed that I could see exactly what she was working on and the changes she made in "real-time". I could even open up a chat window to discuss ideas that we had. I believe that the implications of this are tremendous.
I have a student in my class that is not able to work in a group due to social difficulties. Students are reluctant to work with him because of his behaviors even though intellectually he is very strong. With Google Slides he could be put in a group and work on a presentation with a classroom aid prompting and guiding him at the computer. This would give him a level playing field socially. She would be able to remind him to not "write" or "talk" over someone and guide him on how to share his ideas appropriately. If he needed breaks he could stand up, move around, walk away, without disrupting the rest of the group.
SAMR Model
Finally, I believe that all teachers could benefit from hearing about the SAMR model. As I listened to the descriptors I realized that much of what I use for technology is just a substitution for other tools or at best an augmentation. I think that viewing the model gives me motivation and a goal to look for ways that I can move from mere enhancement of my lessons to transformation of my lessons through technology integration. As with Blooms taxonomy there is value to the enhancement level, however it is important not to stop there. I think that Westford's model of integration does encourage this transformation level because it focuses on collaboration which I believe is integral to the higher level thinking. The missing piece I believe is the time that is needed to fully carry out this model. More time for technology and collaboration will be integral to fully move to the next level. Teachers need education on what is available and students need time to practice and reinforce technology skills before they can apply them to new learning.
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