Google Sites

I found this Google assignment the most difficult. The tutorials were helpful but I found that I had to re-watch them multiple times to accomplish each task. I did find it easy to add additional pages, yet, it was not simple to format said pages. It took me a while to figure out how to resize the images I uploaded to the two pages I created. Initially, both images were very large and took up the entire screen. 

It was odd to me that the background color and patterns were to be changed only in the "manage layout" link listed in the settings drop down menu. It appears to be an "out of the way" progression. I appreciated the pre-programed theme offered when first creating the site. This cut out much time and energy required in order to create an aesthetically pleasing site. The history of changes offered to users could be helpful if it was necessary to note what day or time an announcement was posted for parents' viewing or when documenting the date of a particular past event.

I need more time working with Google Sites to become familiar with the layout of the functions but I can see this option being very helpful when it comes time to create my own classroom website. I think that it is a great, organized way to relay information to parents. And, of course, its Google so it is free! 

Click here to view my classroom website. 

GAIN- Google Forms

Forms is a useful tool utilized by educators. I have personally observed Forms provide survey information for Administrative purposes, as well as implemented in the classroom for testing purposes. One of our 5th grade teachers uses Forms as an assessment tool to judge if his class is following and if they are comprehending the material being covered. This method is also time effective, for he implements the use of self graded forms within Google Spreadsheets. 

Our text notes the reality that our teachers are "bombarded" with requests to gather student performance data. Google Forms in collaboration with Google Spreadsheets seeks to minimize this enormous responsibility teachers have inherited. In addition to helping teachers perform the grand task of testing and scoring, Google has once again conquered several of our Common Core Standards. Our Graham text argues that students who are trained to gather and assess data through Google Forms are better prepared for college and career. This skill set may also demonstrate student's ability to "present information, findings, and support evidence" in a way that an audience is able to clearly understand how conclusion is founded. Also, the tools provided in the Forms program allows students to conduct research projects outlined in High School Writing standards. 

I found the process to create a quiz in Google Forms was very simple. I watched one tutorial and was good to go. The quiz took a total of 15 minutes or so to complete (granted there are only three questions). I spent more time on trying to figure out self-scoring features for my Form within Google Spreadsheets. After watching and reading several tutorials, I was still unable to get my formula to generate the correct calculations.

Click here to view my Quiz.

To check your score, click here.

TECH- Literacy in Education

I explored the Dictionary Application. My first impression was the app’s “word of the day”. What a great concept that could be included in daily morning work. I was surprised to find that the program offered much more than word definitions and their related sources. 

The app had links to blogs associated with particular topics of interest. For example, if I were to search “Border Collies” the app would allow me access to a variety of blogs written on the subject. The program allows users to store a list of their favorites, as well as follow the site’s current trending words or topics. Another great use for the application is it’s inclusion of a translator. It would be extremely helpful for ESL students who are asked to define a term for an assignment. 29 different languages are listed for the drop down selection while utilizing the translator feature.

            Show Me is an app I was unfamiliar with. Upon starting the program, I was impressed that the “welcome” included a brief, built-in tutorial for how to operate the app. You begin with a blank screen with options to draw in different colors and erase. The colors are chosen by scheme. There are also options to upload a photo and record audio. 

            The voice recording feature is awesome and would allow for the app to be used by students to create their own story narrations. For example, pictures could be taken from a book or flash cards and organized in a slideshow of sorts. The recording could include the student’s summary of the story’s order of events. This would be an engaging substitution for the more traditional activity of organizing events using “First, Next, Lastly” paragraphs.  

            Strip Designs brings a new concept to the classroom, creating comic strips to master organizing events in a story plot. The Strip Design app was easy to use, offering templates with different comic page layouts. The application offered different aesthetic styles such as “old and dirty” and “film and embossed”. Pictures could be added via the camera, photos, google maps, creating a drawing, social media (Facebook), Drop Box, or by uploading an existing saved document. 

           Once the picture is in place, the student can choose a brush effect. The app offers filter options similar to those used in Instagram and other applications. The user can draw on top of the background photo and finally chose a frame of their choice. I appreciate that the app is self-guided in regards to content and would push the student to use their imagination in creating their own comic.

TECH- Disciplines in Education

Doodle Buddy is an application our Kindergarteners use at Bonny Kate. The kids use them during their reading stations to help them practice their letters. This app offers the children freedom to create and acts as a mini-white board of sorts. It allows users to change formatting, as well as insert backgrounds, photos, symbols and emoticons. It also offers a variety of  font styles and colors. 

Using this app has really cut down on paper use in the classroom as well. This is paper that is in limited supply and we would otherwise have to give the students a maximum number of sheets per day. I could see this application also being used in an art classroom or as a free choice during a brain break. 

Solar Walk is an application that is designed to help students gain a foundational knowledge of Astronomy. It is free for download, but the full version does cost $2.99. This program is interactive and allows students to “move through space”. As they tap on a specific planet and zoom in, some general information pops up at the left hand side of the screen. 

The information displayed includes planet size, appearance, distance from the sun, history of it’s name, as well as the planet’s internal structure. At the top of the same screen, the app offers the answer to the popular question: Can the planet support lifeforms? This application would be great for introducing lower elementary students to the planets located within our solar system. It would prove most useful for the upper elementary grades who delve into the discoveries and chemical properties of our planets. 

Stack the States is an application I would download to my personal iPad. It offers so much more than the task of locating and labeling a state on our map. Perhaps it offers a better retention for geographical location of our states because it requires students to select from a list of states that potentially border the state in question. 

This application can be played by multiple students at one time. It is designed for older elementary school students because the nature of the sentence structure is more complex. It keeps students engaged as they play by allowing them to “drop it” once a question is answered correctly. The app uses a variety of questions including knowledge of the state “nicknames”, as well as recognition of the shapes and sizes of the states. I appreciate that when a question is answered incorrectly by the user, the app provides additional information about the missed topic.