Google Apps

After reading and watching the videos about Google Apps, I can think of a few situations where having these collaborative tools would have helped me as a student. One example is when working on a group project. It would have been so helpful to utilize the cloud computing document and been able to add and change my information directly on-line and send it out to my other group members. Likewise, my group members could have done the same and we would have saved a lot of time by working on the project on our own time and then collaborating on-line. I still think it's nice to actually physically see one another and work on projects that way, but realistically, that isn't always possible. We could have created word documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and videos and sent them to one another for everyone to make changes on. The really neat thing about Google Apps is that everything goes to the same place (cloud computing document) where the project is current all the time! I think that's pretty cool!

As a teacher, I thought it would be helpful to use the Integration Corner where you can create your own online quiz. Maybe the students would even find it fun to take a quiz online instead of the old way of using a paper and #2 pencil. Also, you could have your results instantly and even graph them. "Making the Grade" is another link that assists the teacher in classroom record keeping and planning. A teacher can use it for keeping track of attendance, seating charts, even to print out detailed reports for students and parent conferences!

There are so many ways to use Google Apps as a teacher in the classroom. The Software Corner I thought was a really fun idea! There is a section called Kid Pix for students K-8th grade. It is where students can use electronic drawing and art tools to create pictures, illustrate their own stories, and be creative. It also has realistic sound effects! Teachers can also have their students read online newspapers, get their books from online bookstores and even post online classroom assignments. Another thing teachers could do using Google Apps Sites is create a website that only her students can access.

After learning all of the things that Google Apps offers, I actually felt a bit overwhelmed! I'm not really sure where to start. I think part of the reason I feel that way is because I am not yet a certified teacher. I know I have a lot to learn about teaching, but I definitely feel like using Google Apps would make me a better teacher!