The web is an amazing resource for educators to use. It can be used in every curriculum and should be used! In following a Canadian educational blogger Paul W. Bennett, I came across an interest blog titled Googlization of Education: What Happens When Google Appropriates a School System? and it really encouraged me to create this blog post. As a University student, I often take advantage of Google and its many free resources, but do elementary or high school students know about these resources? Do they use them as a part of their education? It is up to us as prospective teachers to bring this into our classrooms and help our students attain 21st century skills.
In Paul's blog post, he explores Google Apps for Education (GAFE) and how its being implemented into schools across Canada. Summits have been held in Ontario, Alberta, Quebec and BC as well as Nova Scotia.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXFUl0KcIkA
The above video illustrates what Google Apps for Education is all about!
According to Paul's blog post, a Nova Scotia teacher Grant Frost laments that Google Apps for Education "provides every student and teacher user with their own g-mail account, as well as several useful applications, including Google Docs, a leading edge word processing program, Google Sheets, which outperforms Excel, and Google Slides, which is a more integrated multi-platform version of PowerPoint. Users also have access to Google Classroom, where, with a click of mouse and a one time code entry, they can sign up for a class and receive notifications about upcoming events, class assignments and ask about homework questions with their teacher via his/her cell phone at all times of the week."
As a prospective teacher, I plan to incorporate Google Apps for Education into my classroom as a way to incorporate technological literacy. It is a great way for students to work on group presentations from home through Google Docs, it allows them to create an email account and helps all students learn to operate Excel and Google Slides. As mentioned in an older post of mine, the flipped classroom model is something I am very supportive of. The flipped classroom model accompanies GAFE really well, as students can access lectures online as homework, and then come to class ready for open discussion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uEXJPw8Jwo
The above video illustrates GAFE in action!
Another great way to incorporate tech literacy and Google into the classroom is the use of "a Google a Day". It is a free site that strengthens student's ability to search and find answers through a game-like format. Each day, it asks students to answer three different questions that are answered through research. The quicker the students find the answers, the more points they earn.
Another great way to incorporate tech literacy and Google into the classroom is the use of "a Google a Day". It is a free site that strengthens student's ability to search and find answers through a game-like format. Each day, it asks students to answer three different questions that are answered through research. The quicker the students find the answers, the more points they earn.
Just a short post today! Hope it was helpful.
With every good wish,
Miss Roberts
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