Integrating Google in the Classroom
Being 1:1 Chromebooks has changed the way I teach
Before 1:1
The basic structure of my class:
- Students took notes from slideshow presentations, textbook readings and teacher lectures
- Homework was worksheets and readings.
- Students maintained notebooks, created labeled and colored maps, took tests or quizzes and projects were slideshow presentations or posters.
Transitioning to 1:1
- Computer Labs
- Projectors and Smartboards
- Laptop Carts shared with other classrooms
- BYOD
All of these previous options had several issues such as a lack of student training in order to effectively use the hardware, connectivity and slow loading along with limited availability. All these issues lead to frustrated teachers and students and eventually I stopped planning to use technology in my lessons.
We are now 1:1 Chromebooks
In the 2014-15 school year, our middle school building went 1:1 with Google Chromebooks. This transition was not without issues (damaged devices, network issues, student training) however in our second year, Chromebooks are a part of all I do with my students. In my presentation today, I will show how these devices being in every students hands has completely changed my teaching style including:
- Organization
- Communication
- Learning
- Grading
- Assessment
Teachers MUST model technology usage for students.
Class Organization
All my students have GAFE student accounts and Chromebooks in each of their hands while in school, I see no reason for students to maintain notebooks. With these Google applications, student notebooks are digital:
- Classroom
- Drive
- Chrome
The hope of using these applications is that students do not need paper copies because they have access to class notes and resources anywhere they have the internet. As of right now I would say my classroom is 75% paperless with the goal to reach 100% next school year.
Communication
Students being 1:1 along with having GAFE student accounts have allowed for communication to improve between teachers, students and parents alike.
Teach your students to email with you. I share many grades with students through email, as well as ask them questions about missing or incomplete assignments. By modeling this for them, my students feel comfortable to email me with their questions.
Hang-Outs
Similar to Skype, allows students to share screens, documents and video calling to work on projects from different locations. Allows for collaboration outside of school.
Sites
My class website: used to share assignment dates, study resources and links for further learning
Learning using Web-based Applications
Students have the ability to learn using web-based applications. Learning can be teacher-led, independent or collaborative through these applications. These are especially useful for hybrid lessons as well as allow for differentiated instruction.
Grading using Google Add-Ons
Add-ons are programs that are used within Google Sheets and Documents. They allow for more versatility, such as data organizing, color coding, even grading. Look for YouTube videos to learn more about how to use these add-ons. Links attached in description.
Flubaroo
Create a Google Form quiz for your students to take, student answers are collected in a Google Sheet, then activate Flubaroo. Flubaroo will automatically grade quizzes and email student scores immediately. Also has a grade-by-hand feature for short answers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U06W3H_iDho
Goobric and Doctopus
Allows teachers to collect documents turned in on Google Classroom and add a rubric to the assignment. Student work and graded are organized in a Google Sheet. Once assignments have been graded, the rubric is emailed to students. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0NXeDKPyls
Orange Slice
A Google Document add-on, that allows a teacher to add an assignment rubric to a document before students complete it. Then easily grade using the rubric once students turn the document in on Google Classroom. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KtzCnvqPYs
Tips for Giving Online Quizzes and Test
- Always collect student user names (check box in Google Forms)
- Only allow students to have one tab open in browser
- Take it yourself before the students
- Stress importance of spelling
- Hand-out paper for scratch
Producing using web-based Applications
Students have the ability to create products that sharing their learning that are much more exciting than slideshows or essays. Teachers can assess student learning without students taking tests or quizzes, but through video productions and other project-based assignments. Here are just a few I have used with my students:
- ThingLink (Example of Student-made Thinglink)
- ClipChamp
- Movenote
- Piktochart (Example below)
- Smore
- Sites (Example of Student-made Site)
Stephanie Coleman
7th Grade Social Studies Teacher
Educational Technology Integrator Leader
York College of Pennsylvania
University of Scranton
Email: colemans@sesdrams.org
Website: https://sites.google.com/a/sesdrams.org/mrs-colemanss/
Location: South Eastern Middle School-East, Main Street, Fawn Grove, PA, United States
Phone: 717-382-4851
Twitter: @StephColeman4