31 January - Google Part 1

Google Part 1 Thoughts by John Haws

What

There is an amazing amount of information contained in what was presented in those few minutes.  I signed up for engrade.  It was an amazing straightforward approach to scores. I had worked with documents since last semester.  I had shared documents and learned to work on group projects with the program.  What I knew was just a very trivial amount compared to what was shown in the class and what I am able to work with.  Forms, Calendars, and spreadsheets can also be used in my classroom someday.  I appreciate learning control c for copy and control v for paste.  These are simple things but they make all the difference in the world.  I have never made a power point presentation in google.  It was great to point that it can be done.

So What?

This is going to make all the difference to me as a teacher.  The exercise today of learning how to do questionaires and to get the results back is a major accomplishment to learn.  It can be a simple way of students doing homework and accessing it.  Blogging can also be a great way to have students type up their homework responses and a great way students can use technology to do their homework.  I am excited to have all these options at my fingertips in Gmail.  I am amazed at the amount of information I learned in those two hours.  Teaching students in this world needs to have a technology flair.  Students have conditioned themselves to learn by technology.  The classroom function needs to be envisioned to include technology.  I want to be thrilled to learn and not be the old fat guy that is trying not to be always innovating and learning.

Now What?

I have to practice and incorporate all these items into my plans for my classroom.  I have to practice them enough so they are a part of me.  I need to completely use the web site and calendar.  I need to make possible the use of the internet for homework and students and parents access to the website and pertinent information.  I am slow and it is hard to keep up with the movement in the class.  I have to practice each week on my own so I won't be inferior and will be able to fully learn the information of the classroom.  Thanks for giving me this vision