Building a Classroom Site

This week we looked at Google Sites and using it to build a classroom site. I enjoyed this project and it made me think about how I will want to use this in my classroom. I already know I want to have a site for my classroom, so Google Sites is an option for me to use.

Here is the link to my site I did for a 4th grade class:

https://sites.google.com/site/msvagotts4thgradeclass/

I didn't have any issues building the site, except with the calendar. I did the calendar in Google Calendar and then imported it to the site. I had issues with viewing the calendar. One time I had it as a widget but didn't care for the look. I wanted the items to be viewed on the calendar directly. It was easy to import images, change font size and color, format the layout, etc. I made many revisions so I won't list them in detail. I can sites being used for a classroom project or for teams. I hope you enjoy in site. There is a home page, subjects we will study page, a calendar page, and a page of helpful links.

Google Drawing

 The last Google Doc we are looking at is Google Drawing. I was excited to use this app, but was disappointed that it didn't have a way to draw free form. With a name like drawing, I was expecting to draw. One can only use the available shapes and draw a line. It did challenge me by doing a drawing with just the limited amount of shapes. I can see how this app would be great for charts, graphs, make math "posters," charts for science, and other similar less creative activities. It can challenge a student to break objects down into their simplest form, which is something you do when you are trying to teach someone to draw. Some of the tutorials were good and helpful. Below is a link to my attempt at a drawing. I was able to save it as a JPEG and then post it here.

https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1qGVRJSMweW3S0cbD8ASMJRHPQPfYkHEGxm-DDAUErxA/edit?usp=sharing


The handout discussed how Google Drawing could be used in a class project setting to work together in a group to develop a chart, graph, or drawing. The handout related the app to how it can be used to aid in meeting CCSS in math and writing, as well as speech and listening by have the students present their drawings to the class. They can also work together outside of school by being able to share and work on a drawing together. The handout mentioned how a teacher could use the app to create an outline of a book or the students could do this themselves as a "graphic organizer" for a project. Google Drawing could be a great way to help students understand geometry by being able to rotate items and manipulate the shapes. Sometimes if you can draw the angle and then manipulate it in a certain way it can help with certain mathematical equations.

Using Google Forms to Create Self-grading Test

This week we looked at how to use Google Forms to create self-grading tests. Plus how Google Forms can be used to help schools meet some of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS.)

I found it most helpful to have a sample to refer to help me with figuring out the formulas. Additionally, I really like the link to "Self-Grading Multiple Choice Tests with Google Docs." I found it very helpful to have a step-by-step guide with had a link to a video, plus had visuals embedded in the article. Once I figured out my test questions, which I think was the hardest part, it was easy to set up the test and just follow along with Google. The program will guide you along in setting up the test and the test response spreadsheet.

Here is a link to my test:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1uydH_Jv8QCxBQ0OYQvgTHOEw9sgWhYmIWyIs4n1wRXk/viewform

And a link to my response sheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AmgfiCUYrsGfdDBjV3kxaWxjTG01UHd2bjE4ZE5aVVE#gid=0

I can see how a teacher can use Google Forms to collect student information at the beginning of the school year. As a parent it would be easier to fill out a form for the teacher and e-mail it in, and as a teacher it would be easier to collect information from parents in one e-mail plus easier to store an e-mail instead of a piece of paper.

The students could use Google Forms to conduct research and have an easy way to organize and analyze the data they collected. This could be used for science, psychology, or any type of class project. The students can then use the app to create graphs of the results. It was very user friendly. All of these activities will fulfill CCSS.

Grade Books In Google Spreadsheet

Here is a grade book I did in Google spreadsheets. I did use one of the templates as a starting place, and then modified it for this grade book.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AmgfiCUYrsGfdGNqRnRQWlQ3UUNpeVBBTHg3WDU1UGc#gid=0

I have used Excel in the past for lists, like VBS registration and employee testing, but this is the first time I had to figure out formulas in a spreadsheet. I had issues with the final grades and ended up calculating by hand. I tried to use atomiclearning.com to help with some of the more complex formulas, but couldn't get the videos to play. I tried using the Google help, but I couldn't figure it out. This is something I will just have to practice with more, but I can see the benefits to doing a grade book in a spreadsheet.

The article we read just continued on the benefits of technology in the classroom. I can see how spreadsheets can be used to help students understand certain complex equations (as long as they know the equation) and how this program can be used by students to conduct scientific research. This is an important part of the Common Core Standards. Spreadsheets are used in many professions and it is important that students understand and know how to use spreadsheets. The more we can do as teachers to prepare our students for the future/the world the better off the student will be and in the long run the benefit for our country. 

Google Presentation

I decided to do my post on Google Presentation, in a Google presentation.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1riF4yq8iJ8FHOv-ve4kjiWPlgTg5FfzavfmgUFsNL5A/pub?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000

Once again the handout we read re-enforces the benefits of Google Apps in the classroom. In my slide presentation I mention some of the features listed in the article. I actually did my presentation first and then I read the article. In my own application use I ended up listing some of the benefits listed in the article.

Google Documents/Drive in the Classroom

I was happy to learn about Google Doc/Drive. I haven't been happy with Evernotes on my iPad for word processing. I am a regular Word for Mac user so it is hard to find something just as good for the iPad. I think Google Doc is the answer. I like the auto correct feature, it is like the auto correct feature on my iPhone. One can change the font size and typeface, and adjust margins. I still like Word a little better for customizing. Where I really see the benefit of Google Doc is the sharing feature.  My partner Christy and I had fun sharing a document and then editing it together. We discussed how we could see using this Ap in the classroom.

Everyone in the classroom could participate in an exercise and not have a fear of speaking up. Partnership working is made easier. I know my daughters struggle when they have to work on a writing assignment with classmates. One classmate always ends up taking home a written document to re-type. They don't have access to computers in the classroom so all computer work must be done at home. Google Docs make projects easier. Additional, they have issues of going back and forth between mom's computer and printer and dad's printer. Google Doc can solve some of these issues for them.

When I read the handout on Google Doc's use in the classroom to fulfill some Common Core Standards I kept thinking the would make my daughter's classroom projects so much easier. The Selected Anchor Standards for Writing on page 42 are ones my daughters' have currently in school. The issue I have is the manner in which they have to go about to fulfill them. They do most of the work at home on the computer; hand write their notes; print pages off the internet; and have a hard time working together in a group because of these issues. If they had computers to use in the classroom along with Google Doc they could focus more time on their writing skills. They would be able to write in the document, copy and paste links, and share the document with their teammates. They could edit a document with their partners, at the same time, but not have to be in the same place.

Viewing Other Blogs

I viewed all of the blogs on the list provided to the class. The blogs varied in style, layout, and subject matter. When trying to gain followers of a blog all of these factors need to be considered when trying to reach one's target audience.

Some of the blogs, like www.thethinkingstick.com, I liked for the content and the visual appeal, plus the name is not bad either. The layout is user friendly and gives you captions of articles for you find an article to read and then just click on the photo. This is greatly in contrast to http://heyjude.wordpress.com which is set-up more like a personal blog. The posts on this blog are all in order of the post. I am personally more fond of the labels listed to side than at the bottom of the post. I do like how she has a visual associated with each post. As a visual person this helps to draw me into a post, but also helps me bypass the ones I'm not interested in viewing.

The last blog I will comment on is http://willrichardson.com I like his cover photo, as well as how he ties his first name "Will" into the title "Read. Write. Connect. Learn." His blog is set up visually pleasing to the eye, the flow is nice from post to post,  additionally I appreciate how some of the comments are posted on the main page. This is how discussions can easily be started and be open to many different viewpoints. As we know, when we hear more differing viewpoints on a subject we can better form an informed opinion.