Google Apps Handout

Google Apps for Education

Intro

Google Docs is one of several popular online tool suites. The idea behind this online suite is to eliminate saving to a specific server. Documents and files can be accessed anywhere internet access is available. At Northeast Hamilton this means that students and teachers can work, save, and share files from school laptops, computer labs, home, work, or even their phone - this eliminates document incompatibility, saving errors, and printing problems among other things. Working “in the cloud” is more efficient and effective. 

Docs

Google Docs are great for peer editing, file saving

• While it may take time to learn, you will ultimately save time by having everyone using the same terminology, steps, and if multiple groups use the technology, training time for students rapidly decreases
• Multiple users can edit, read, or share documents
• The chat function allows students to “discuss” changes, goals, or questions
• Offers nearly every function of Microsoft Word
• Observe student work and learning as it happens

Forms

Forms are great for quizzes or surveys

• Forms allows responses to be recorded as check box, multiple choice, text, or paragraph text
• Leave it plain or add a background to make it more interesting or connected to your topic
• Make certain questions or responses “required” (like names!)
• Email the form or put it on a website using “embed” feature when you share
• When you edit a form it happens in real time
• If you email it out and realize you made a mistake, just fix it. When the recipients open it it will already be fixed (worst case scenario they will need to refresh the page)
• Responses are immediately fed into one spreadsheet

Presentations

• Students can work collaboratively on a project outside of class
• Changes are saved in real time - no saving multiple copies
• The chat function allows students to “discuss” changes, goals, or questions
• Offers nearly every function of PowerPoint
• Observe student work and learning as it happens

Calendar

Google Calendars can be shared publicly via email, Google, or on another website 

• Share a calendar with parents so they can see lesson plans, upcoming projects or activities, or field trips
• Calendars can be shared with older students with alarms and reminders attached for big events, tests, or project deadlines
• Google Calendars can by synced with Smart Phones so events go straight to your phone and can be carried with you wherever you go - great for students, parents, teachers, administrators or personal use

Student Accounts

Julie has set up a Google account for every student in the district

• Parent permission must be obtained prior to the students using the accounts
• Teachers may obtain an account upon request (if you actually plan to use it)
• Google account manager has access to student passwords, documents, and email accounts

Lesson Ideas

The idea behind Google Apps isn’t necessarily to change or create a new lesson, but to offer teachers a collaborative, safe way to share files with and between students. It should enhance the lessons you are already have and make your life easier!

Elementary

*Create a calendar that you can share with parents! Send the snack/party/field trip calendar home once, but provide a digital place for parents to find it when it gets lost. 

*Share class, party, and field trip photos in a class photo album!

*Let students work together on a writing activity using a collaborative Google doc

*Create “AR” quizzes using Google Forms for books that may not be in the system

*Import your documents, spreadsheets or presentations that you’ve already created and save them to your Google account (just like uploading to a flash drive).

*Create quick formative quizzes (reading comprehension, math facts, science or social studies concepts, etc) that students can take at home or in the computer lab - data is immediately fed into a spreadsheet for teacher analysis

Secondary

*Find another district and use Google Apps (presentation or docs work best) to work collaboratively on an assignment or project (Twitter is a great place to find a partner district)

*Encourage students to work/save on Google Docs, Presentations, Spreadsheets as a means of eliminating  problems with saving to the server, forgetting an assignment at home, or not having a flash drive.

*Peer editing works great with Google Docs

*Import your documents, spreadsheets or presentations that you’ve already created and save them to your Google account (just like uploading to a flash drive).

*Create quick formative quizzes that students can take on a laptop, iPad/Pod, or phone - data is immediately fed into a spreadsheet for teacher analysis