As you explore the tool, answer these questions (one group member can take notes on this page):

1. What is it? How does it work? What's special about it?
2. How might it be useful for educators and students?
3. What else do you want to learn about it?

Finally, you will have approximately time to share what you've learned when you return to your your team. (Each individual should share in the time allotted.)

How to create a Google Group Screen Cast.

Andrew Gardner:
pd Group eportfolios and PLTs:  http://groups.google.com/group/eportfolios-and-plts


Google Groups

Like a discussion board : interactive discussion board : subscribe to the digest with the daily updates

Google groups in the classroom : PDF in the google info for today
Kristin : google group for her neighborhood : invitation through the google group: the file lives in the group:  If you et it in digest for : the attachments are within the group.
Directory with the private group : so you have contact info such as phone numbers
 Closed groups :
What about the difference between having a shared google doc vs uploading a file to the group.

archived listserve (kind of thing) which might be easier to understand
Sites you don't get the updates
Group saves the additions over time : archiving over time
Discussion forum : threaded discussions :

Importance of using these tools to teach them to learn to communicate appropriately in these online environments
We are the gatekeepers : we are somehow more responsible for the social development of the students than we have been in the past
Issues around copyright and who teaches the kids about how to use media and resources responsibly : teachers who don't publish the student work to the web often feel like the rules don't apply to them (or the kids) since the work isn't going to be published online.
Particularly with kids under 13 and issues around google accounts : need for parental permission forms before you use some of these tools.

Groups : Edit your membership : get digest daily rather than every day

The benefit for the tech support time to support only one set of tools : the Google set: rather than a wide range of third party tools
Streamline for the teacher, for the tech support, for the integrators to suggest a starting point - get everyone on the same page

Google groups : search groups
Google groups gadgets for your iGoogle page

Students all in different google groups for each class : able to send a message to all the kids in a group or to an individual
Attach documents, send articles, participate in threaded discusions, etc.
Make them check it daily - in part by sending them things they need so they get in the habit.