ICT for Learning - Northern Territory. Are We There Yet? by Alison Lester. Making the Most of Google Docs: Tips & Lesson Ideas. Since attending the Google Teacher Academy in April, I have been trying to learn as much as possible about each Google application. The result? I am realizing how little I actually knew about these tools and how tragically I was underutilizing them! Take Google Docs, for example. I have been using Google Docs for a couple of years, yet I had no idea how much I could actually do with docs personally or with my students. So, in this blog want to share some information on basic functionality as well as fun ideas for using Google Docs (now Google Drive for some of us) with students.
Back to Basics Let’s start with a definition, Google Docs “is a suite of products that lets you create different kinds of online documents, work on them in real time with other people, and store your documents and your other files — all online, and all for free.” Types of Docs: Documents Documents are a free online word processor. Forms Use forms to: – Collect student data & get to know them better Spreadsheets 1. 2. ePortfolio Step-by-Step Process - ePortfolios with GoogleApps. Students: (Optional) Use a simple table or GoogleDocs Spreadsheet to list the artifacts, and assign (classify) each one to the outcome/goal/standard that the artifact will demonstrate.
Use the table to keep track of artifacts that might be stored on one of the many Web 2.0 sites that you could use to store your work. See Dr. Barrett’s portfolio for an example (Artifacts in GoogleDocs Spreadsheet).Recommendation: Students: convert all attached artifacts into web-compatible formats (JPEG or PDF) so that the potential reader will not need to own the original software in order to read it (i.e., Microsoft Office, Publisher, Inspiration documents could easily be converted into PDF and attached to a blog entry, or link to GoogleDocs).
Web 2.0 storage: Video files can be saved on one of the video sharing sites, and use the Hyperlink or Embed code to include in your blog entry. Word, Excel and PowerPoint files could be uploaded into GoogleDocs. How-to (GoogleSites) - ePortfolios with GoogleApps. Developed by Helen C. Barrett, Ph.D. Keeping a Learning Journal The Announcements page type can be used as a form of "blog" or learning journal (sometimes called a learning portfolio), since it allows individual posts, and it is organized in reverse chronological order. The learner can also attach documents to any entry, or can create a link to any GoogleDocs Document/Presentation/Spreadsheet, to another GoogleSites page, or any web page. See Journal as an example. Create a New Page with Announcements page type.Create a New Post for each entry, to reflect on learning that takes place over time.Use the Insert -> Recent posts Gadget on any page to show a summary of the last few entries (you can indicate the number) -- recommend placing on Home page.
At a certain point in time (prior to a parent conference, end of the school year, etc.), a more formal presentation portfolio would be developed, which is discussed below. Authoring an electronic portfolio For example, see Home page Link to a page. Google Apps for Education. Hangouts.