Big Ideas About TEaCHING & Learning: 4 More Google Apps

By Derrick Brown (Email) (follow on Twitter @dbrowndbrown)

Google Docs is an application that allows users to create and share documents, spreadsheets, and presentations with all school stakeholders (students, parents, faculty & staff, administration, board, and community).

Google Forms is an application that allows users to create forms (interactive documents that facilitate data collection). All data entered into the form is automatically entered into a downloadable spreadsheet!

Google Calendar is an application that facilitates the efficient managing and sharing of events.

Google Mail (GMail) is a multi-faceted communication tool.

Google Talk is a text, voice, and video chat application. When used wisely, it can facilitate powerful, positive communication between school stakeholders.

Google Sites is a service that allows you to build, publish, and to maintain Web sites.

Google Groups, Blogger, Google Moderator, and YouTube are advanced Google apps that provide additional powerful classroom resources. Let's explore how they can be used ...

1. Google Groups. Use Google Groups to manage and to archive classroom, department, or schoolwide discussions!
2. Blogger. A blog is an Internet-based log (or journal). This makes Blogger a great tool to manage day-to-day classroom activities. Deliver daily warmups, in-class assignments, and homework via your classroom blog!
   
3. Google Moderator. Use Google Moderator to encourage students to reflect on their daily learning. Pose a question that synthesizes the day's discussion, then allow students to respond. Let them rate each other's responses!
4. YouTube. Use YouTube to view approved videos, record classroom lectures for review, or allow students to post their own project videos!
   

To Learn More ...

1. Google Apps in Classrooms and Schools: 32 Ways to Use Google Apps (Slide Presentation - 54 Slides)
2. Google Apps in Classrooms and Schools: 32 Ways to Use Google Apps (Professional Development Webinar - 58 minutes, 52 seconds)

Please share your thoughts on these "Big Ideas" and best practices by leaving comments below. Email us or follow us on Twitter @dbrowndbrown to submit your own "Big Ideas" and best practices!

 

 

Copyright © 2012 Derrick  Brown. All Rights Reserved.

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Big Ideas About Technology & Learning: 4 Ways To Use Google Talk

By Derrick Brown (Email) (follow on Twitter @dbrowndbrown)

Google Docs is an application that allows users to create and share documents, spreadsheets, and presentations with all school stakeholders (students, parents, faculty & staff, administration, board, and community).

Google Forms is an application that allows users to create forms (interactive documents that facilitate data collection). All data entered into the form is automatically entered into a downloadable spreadsheet!

Google Calendar is an application that facilitates the efficient managing and sharing of events.

Google Mail (GMail) is a multi-faceted communication tool.

Google Talk is a text, voice, and video chat application. When used wisely, it can facilitate powerful, positive communication between school stakeholders ...

1. Invite Guest Teachers To Your Classroom. Use Google Talk's video chat to allow teachers from other charter schools to be guest stars in your daily classroom production!
2. Increase Parental Involvement. Allow parents to participate in daily instruction by leading your classroom warmups, or by reading to students!
   
3. Conduct Parent / Team Meetings. Imagine the scheduling convenience of conducting parent conferences or collaborative department meetings online!
   
4. Conduct Online Office Hours. With parental permission, allow students to ask questions and receive help on homework, or even more detailed project assignments!
   

To Learn More ...

1. Google Apps in Classrooms and Schools: 32 Ways to Use Google Apps (Slide Presentation - 54 Slides)
2. Google Apps in Classrooms and Schools: 32 Ways to Use Google Apps (Professional Development Webinar - 58 minutes, 52 seconds)

Please share your thoughts on these "Big Ideas" and best practices by leaving comments below. Email us or follow us on Twitter @dbrowndbrown to submit your own "Big Ideas" and best practices!

 

 

Copyright © 2012 Derrick  Brown. All Rights Reserved.

Big Ideas About Technology & Learning: 3 Ways To Use Google Mail (GMail)

By Derrick Brown (Email) (follow on Twitter @dbrowndbrown)

Google Docs is an application that allows users to create and share documents, spreadsheets, and presentations with all school stakeholders (students, parents, faculty & staff, administration, board, and community).

Google Forms is an application that allows users to create forms (interactive documents that facilitate data collection). All data entered into the form is automatically entered into a downloadable spreadsheet!

Google Calendar is an application that facilitates the efficient managing and sharing of events.

Google Mail (GMail) is a multi-faceted communication tool. Do not be misled by its simple user interface! Beneath it are a rich set of functions that allow you to accomplish ...

1. Bilingual Parent Communication. Use Gmail's Translate feature to communicate with parents in different languages.
   
2. Global Writing Projects. Establish pen pals for your students in other states or countries, and use the Translate feature to let them correspond!
   
3. Internal Email Addresses. Establish school-based email addresses for all stakeholder groups (Administration, Faculty, Staff, Board, Students - even Parents) to effect spam-free, virus-free communication and file exchanges.
   

To Learn More ...

1. Google Apps in Classrooms and Schools: 32 Ways to Use Google Apps (Slide Presentation - 54 Slides)
2. Google Apps in Classrooms and Schools: 32 Ways to Use Google Apps (Professional Development Webinar - 58 minutes, 52 seconds)

Please share your thoughts on these "Big Ideas" and best practices by leaving comments below. Email us or follow us on Twitter @dbrowndbrown to submit your own "Big Ideas" and best practices!

 

 

Copyright © 2012 Derrick  Brown. All Rights Reserved.

Big Ideas About Technology & Learning: 5 Ways To Use Google Calendar

By Derrick Brown (Email) (follow on Twitter @dbrowndbrown)

Google Docs (see overview) is an application that allows users to create and share documents, spreadsheets, and presentations with all school stakeholders (students, parents, faculty & staff, administration, board, and community).

Google Forms is an application that allows users to create forms (interactive documents that facilitate data collection). All data entered into the form is automatically entered into a downloadable spreadsheet!

Google Calendar is an application that facilitates the efficient managing and sharing of events. Imagine being able to easily manage the following scheduling tasks ...

1. Shared School Calendars. Create district, testing, grade level, and leadership calendars - and share them all with appropriate stakeholders.
   
2. Check-Out Calendars. Manage your school's shared resources like field trip vans, media center equipment (books, projectors, computers, cameras, etc). Know who has what at all times!
   
3. Standards Mapping. Teachers with common subjects can all align their course standards with projected dates of completion..
   
4. Pacing Guides. Teachers with common subjects can stay abreast of each team members' pace with respect to completing their standards maps.
   
5. Using Appointment Slots for Office Hours. Administrative staff will especially find it handy to allow the efficient scheduling of appointments during designated office hours.

To Learn More ...

1. Google Apps in Classrooms and Schools: 32 Ways to Use Google Apps (Slide Presentation - 54 Slides)
2. Google Apps in Classrooms and Schools: 32 Ways to Use Google Apps (Professional Development Webinar - 58 minutes, 52 seconds)

Please share your thoughts on these "Big Ideas" and best practices by leaving comments below. Email us or follow us on Twitter @dbrowndbrown to submit your own "Big Ideas" and best practices!

 

 

Copyright © 2012 Derrick  Brown. All Rights Reserved.

Big Ideas About Technology & Learning: 5 Ways To Use Google Forms

By Derrick Brown (Email) (follow on Twitter @dbrowndbrown)

Google Docs (see overview) is an application that allows users to create and share documents, spreadsheets, and presentations with all school stakeholders (students, parents, faculty & staff, administration, board, and community).

Google Forms is an application that allows users to create forms (interactive documents that facilitate data collection). All data entered into the form is automatically entered into a downloadable spreadsheet!

Imagine being able to collect data efficiently in the following ways, then having the time to analyze, synthesize, and strategize about how to use the resulting information ...

1. Formative and Summative Assessments. Create a "warmup" problem to give at the beginning of class, then edit it during class to provide at mini-quiz - at the end of the same class.
   
2. Survey Students. Create student inventories that allow you insight to their character, personality, and temperament. Use this knowledge to build productive relationships with your students!
   
3. Teacher or Student Observations. Collect observation data into a spreadsheet that is ready to analyze as soon as observations are completed.
   
4. Online Reading Record. Track your students' reading activity efficiently.
   
5. Tracking Discipline Referrals. Allow all faculty and staff members to submit referrals into a centralized database. Eliminate lengthy, handwritten referrals that must be filed.

To Learn More ...

1. Google Apps in Classrooms and Schools: 32 Ways to Use Google Apps (Slide Presentation - 54 Slides)
2. Google Apps in Classrooms and Schools: 32 Ways to Use Google Apps (Professional Development Webinar - 58 minutes, 52 seconds)

Please share your thoughts on these "Big Ideas" and best practices by leaving comments below. Email us or follow us on Twitter @dbrowndbrown to submit your own "Big Ideas" and best practices!

 

 

Copyright © 2012 Derrick  Brown. All Rights Reserved.

Big Ideas About Technology & Learning: Using Google Apps In The Classroom

By Derrick Brown (Email) (follow on Twitter @dbrowndbrown)

Google Apps is a service that provides customizable versions of several Google products under a custom domain name (like www.gacharters.org).

It features several "Apps" that are similar in function to competing software tools - including Gmail, Google Groups, Google Calendar, Google Drive (which houses Google Docs), Google Talk, and Google Sites.

Google Apps for Education is free and offers the same amount of storage as free Gmail accounts.

The teaching and learning opportunities offered by Google Apps are exciting and boundless, but are tempered by a set of sobering caveats that schools must consider carefully before adopting ...

Opportunities

1. Teaching & Learning On Cloud Nine. Imagine a synchronized, paperless, collaborative school environment with engaged students and an organized, efficient faculty, staff, and administration.
2. Streamlined Technology Expenses. The money saved on traditional hardware, software, and printing can be reinvested into innovative solutions like tablet computers, e-books, and learning Apps.
3. Increased Network Security. Personal flash drives are acknowledged "vectors of infection" on computer networks. The Google Apps solution lessens dependence on transferring files via this method.

Caveats

1. No Cloud (Shall Be) Left Behind. Cloud-based computing solutions (ones where all data is stored on an organization's network) require consistent, stable Internet access - which still cannot be assumed to be available to all students at home.
2. All Inputs And Processes Determine Outcomes. No idea is inherently a plan for its implementation. The outcomes described above are achieved only through robust, thoughtful planning; adequate expertise and training; controlled growth, stable leadership, and committed teamwork.
3. Money Is The Value Of Time. The money saved on traditional hardware, software, and printing may require greater investment in training and management expertise to navigate Google Apps' significant learning curve. This learning curve must also account for the resistance that often accompanies innovation and change.
4. Do Not Mistake Activity For Achievement. Google products all have disarmingly simple interfaces. This may seduce even the most prudent school leader into adding "Google Apps System Administrator" to their already taxing duties. Empower your technology staff to manage and support this implementation to facilitate its success.

To Learn More ...

1. Google Apps in Classrooms and Schools: 32 Ways to Use Google Apps (Slide Presentation - 54 Slides)
2. Google Apps in Classrooms and Schools: 32 Ways to Use Google Apps (Professional Development Webinar - 58 minutes, 52 seconds)

Please share your thoughts on these "Big Ideas" and best practices by leaving comments below. Email us or follow us on Twitter @dbrowndbrown to submit your own "Big Ideas" and best practices!

 

 

Copyright © 2012 Derrick  Brown. All Rights Reserved.

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