![]() Educators have a plethora of software at their disposal. There are many types of software. Chapter 7 divides the available software to three major groups; productivity software, classroom management software, and online tools. Our assignment for this week utilized software that blended two of those groups. We were to create instructional material using online productivity software; Google Docs, Google Slides, and Google Forms. I have never used these particular Google Apps before this project. All three apps were very easy to use. If you were familiar with other word processors and presentation software, the use of these online apps were intuitive. However, Google Forms allowed a new dynamic in the online classroom. It made making a survey and analyzing the data gathered extremely easy. I am not familiar with any program at my disposal that would be as easy to use and distribute to a class electronically. This part of the assignment went very well! The second part of this assignment was meant to show us how we can use this online format to encourage collaboration among our students. However, I had much difficulty trying to collaborate with my own group members. One of the major hang ups seemed to be how to share our files with permission to edit. Also, account names were different. All of my files are available on my Google Drive, which I access using my gmail account, not my USM email. However, my group members sent the invite to collaborate to my USM account, so I had to access two Google accounts repeatedly to complete this project. In the future, I need to think ahead and start the process on my Google account registered to my USM email. This part of the assignment took me much longer than it should have! I do see the potential this online editing tool can have in a group project situation. The online editing allows all of the students in a group to see the status of the project as it is being built. Students even had the ability to chat with each other if they happen to be online at the same time. I have my MLS 315 students work in groups on a research presentation. This fall, I will suggest to my students that they use Google Slides to collaborate outside of the classroom. I think this will allow the students to keep track of what their classmates are or are not doing throughout the semester. As far as using Google Apps in my everyday workday, I do not see myself leaving Microsoft word behind and using Google Docs. There is no benefit to that change. However, because of its potential in making group collaboration so much easier, I will try to incorporate the Google Apps in my classroom.
2 Comments
Demetric DyAnn Williams
6/27/2016 12:55:55 pm
Hi Mary:
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6/27/2016 01:00:37 pm
I too do not see myself using Google Apps on a daily basis. I do think it is a great idea to use as a tool to teach our students collaboration. I don't require group presentations too often; however, knowing I have the option to use Google Slides makes it more appealing.
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AuthorI'm Mary Warden, a graduate student at the University of Southern Mississippi. I am currently working on my PhD in Instructional Technology and Design. Please read my self introduction to learn a little more about me! BlogrollXavier Agee
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