I am new to using Google Docs. Very new. But just like the first time I met my wife, when I see something I like, I get excited!
Google Docs is a cloud based application that allows users to share, edit, and collaborate on the same document from different locations. It also has the capability to leave notes for your colleagues, annotate, and even research with Google while creating your document (re: text, spreadsheet, presentation slide show, graph/chart, drawing pad).
With some basic beginning-of-year training, here are 3 ways for how I will be working with my 6th grade students using Google Docs.
With some basic beginning-of-year training, here are 3 ways for how I will be working with my 6th grade students using Google Docs.
1. Student-created Practice Tests
I hate writing tests. I don't hate assessment. I hate the pressure of knowing if I am covering the main concepts from a unit of study. When I write a test it is by a committee of one. But when students write tests it will be by a committee of 30 (60 if I include both units of Language Arts or Social Studies).
Google Docs will now allow my students to collaborate on identifying the main concepts from a unit that I so dearly fear doing. My students will be able to question concepts, edit them, send notes for further explanation to one another, and come to a consensus all while Facebooking at home. Ironically, they will be doing better test prep by working together with Google Docs to create the test than anything I could have assigned for them to review. But don't tell them that.
I hate writing tests. I don't hate assessment. I hate the pressure of knowing if I am covering the main concepts from a unit of study. When I write a test it is by a committee of one. But when students write tests it will be by a committee of 30 (60 if I include both units of Language Arts or Social Studies).
Google Docs will now allow my students to collaborate on identifying the main concepts from a unit that I so dearly fear doing. My students will be able to question concepts, edit them, send notes for further explanation to one another, and come to a consensus all while Facebooking at home. Ironically, they will be doing better test prep by working together with Google Docs to create the test than anything I could have assigned for them to review. But don't tell them that.
2. Group Presentations
The learning environment in my classroom is very social. If possible, I bet I err too far on the side of social learning. Creating group presentations in the past has consisted of large sheets of butcher paper or trifold display boards bought from the nearest Wal-Mart. Not any more thanks to Google Docs.
Now, my students will be able to collaborate on creating colorful slide-based presentations including text, images, videos, and resources all together. This will be great for students who can not make it to school for one reason or another. They can still complete their expected portion of each assignment from home, the hospital, or Hawaii all while maintaining a rich discussion with their classmates through Google Docs.
The learning environment in my classroom is very social. If possible, I bet I err too far on the side of social learning. Creating group presentations in the past has consisted of large sheets of butcher paper or trifold display boards bought from the nearest Wal-Mart. Not any more thanks to Google Docs.
Now, my students will be able to collaborate on creating colorful slide-based presentations including text, images, videos, and resources all together. This will be great for students who can not make it to school for one reason or another. They can still complete their expected portion of each assignment from home, the hospital, or Hawaii all while maintaining a rich discussion with their classmates through Google Docs.
3. Peer-Review of Assignments
"Be sure to skip every other line as you write your rough draft!" Have you ever said that in a writing class? Fuh'get about it with Google Docs.
Google Docs will now enable my students to create a publishable essay, short story, book review, poem, etc. with as many peer reviewers as needed. With the ability to annotate, edit, and hold real-time conversations, Google Docs will now enable my students to work collaboratively on refining their understanding of writing. No more red pencils and abstract correcting marks. No more smiley faces and "Good Job!" comments left by friends. Welcome peer editing that poses questions, gives suggestions and insights, and explanations of literary and grammatical tools. Plus, all changes to a Google Doc are saved and can be looked back at. That's like being a fly on the wall during student-discussion.
"Be sure to skip every other line as you write your rough draft!" Have you ever said that in a writing class? Fuh'get about it with Google Docs.
Google Docs will now enable my students to create a publishable essay, short story, book review, poem, etc. with as many peer reviewers as needed. With the ability to annotate, edit, and hold real-time conversations, Google Docs will now enable my students to work collaboratively on refining their understanding of writing. No more red pencils and abstract correcting marks. No more smiley faces and "Good Job!" comments left by friends. Welcome peer editing that poses questions, gives suggestions and insights, and explanations of literary and grammatical tools. Plus, all changes to a Google Doc are saved and can be looked back at. That's like being a fly on the wall during student-discussion.
Used with DropItToMe, which I presented in a previous blog post, Google Docs will change the way my students work. It will change the way that I assess student learning. It will change the way that our classroom runs. And it will change the way that we collaborate.
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