Google Docs

Our school has officially transitioned to Google Docs account. Pros: students can access documents from anywhere they have the internet. Cons: students have to have internet access. I only bring up the cons because in the middle of getting on our accounts for the first time yesterday, I received a lovely email with the subject line, "The internet is down." Good thing I've figured out how to be flexible. Finally, today I got every student online, ready to type, and it was a success! I now have my students essays on my account--they "shared" their essays with me. It's a great way to save paper! It's also great for allowing students to get their work done without saving on a flash drive, floppy disk, or remembering what computer they were using. Despite the slight set-back, I highly recommend Google Docs!

Our media specialists will be encouraging students to keep their notes about references, works cited, etc. on their Google Docs accounts so they can access them from anywhere in the school--not just the library computers.

Google Docs is also exciting because, much like a Wiki, it is a way for people to collaborate on a document. Teachers can share work, lesson plans, etc. and edit together.

Survey Monkey

Get familiar with www.surveymonkey.com ! This is an excellent web resource to get quick feedback from students, faculty, and even parents. They offer a free account that will allow up to ten questions, including multiple choice, free response, etc. For a fee, users can create longer, more in-depth surveys. This tool is especially useful for media specialists who want to find out more about their patrons. I have used it to create a Reading Interest Survey to find out what students are interested in reading. I also created a survey asking students which Sequoyah book they enjoyed reading the most. It could also be used to assess students' understanding of library rules and policies.

Information Overload

Ever feel overwhelmed? I'm sitting in on a professional development workshop with Apple's Steve Cowdrey. In an effort to remember some key thoughts, I'll be jotting notes here.

"If the questions you are asking can be answered by using google, you're asking the wrong questions."

"Teachers need to stop practicing management and begin practicing leadership." Too often teachers get caught up with classroom management when we should be leading students--the best way to lead is by example! If we want our students to read, we need to be readers!

Digital Learning is made up of three key characteristics:
Mobility--24/7 access
User Created
Social Networking/Collaboration

Thought: Are the applications/tools I am using in my classroom meeting these three criteria?

Useful site: www.go2web20.net

Some wonderful Web 2.0 tools: Dropbox, Wiggio, Evernote

Student vs. Learner