Thing #2

Google Templates

I recently created a Google Form for allowing my students to take a short "private" poll regarding a field trip opportunity (going to the Bodies Revealed Exhibition at the Public Museum). This was a way that I could get students to honestly tell me whether or not they really wanted to go, if they could/wanted to pay, and if they would be willing to create a class "scholarship fund" for those class members that couldn't pay.

Google Docs Shared Document

I created a PowerPoint presentation by uploading a presentation that I had already made. I was actually very surprised that all the formatting that I had used when originally making the presentation stayed intact when I uploaded it. I was under the assumption that there were big limitations on formatting when using Google Docs. However, I then uploaded a Word document I had earlier created and tried to edit it. Then I ran into formatting issues. But, if you don't care as much about formatting issues, it is a great place to put things for multiple people to be able to edit. I've actually used it outside of school with people to help plan events and other things.

Reflections

I have found Google Docs very helpful for using in my classroom and teaching. When I first tried it with my students several years ago, we had some major headaches trying to get everyone signed up and connected. But, once we used it for an assignment (it was a small group research project), I immediately had students ask me if they could use it for a group presentation they had to make for a different class.

What I have used more often in my classes lately is the "Form" of Google Docs. Just last week I had students fill out a form with their e-mail addresses so that I could invite them to a Dropbox folder I had created. I've also used it for class surveys, to collect information about students, and for small brainstorming activities. Our school is going to a 1:1 laptop program next year, so I can see the Forms function sort of like those little clickers that you can get. Of course, you can't necessarily "track" students (which maybe you can with those clickers?), but maybe you can. Something else to learn sometime...