I recently attended my first interactive CUE IEC Workshop on November 28, 2017. This interactive workshop, which was run through "Blackboard" and instructed by Marlena Hebern, allowed its participants to experiment with templates and links, presented through a shared Hyperdoc. The session launched with introductions and then we jumped right into a variety of hands-on activities which provided a very engaging and informative model to learn from. Below are some things that I took away from this workshop:

Google Drive:

The instructor began by showing us how to search and find Add-Ons, Extensions, and Apps for Google Chrome. One particular extension that I was excited to learn about was "Orange Slice" a Google Add-on that offers both teacher and student rubrics. Another app that was introduced, one I've heard a lot about and have wanted to begin using, is "Flubaroo". This app provides a way to grade student tests and quizzes. Both are very productive tools that will make it super easy to evaluate student work; I will definitely be exploring for future use in my classroom!

The basics of the Google drive were explained, such as using Google Chrome Store, Google Sheets, Google Draw, and Google Forms.

Google Sheets:

Via a link in the aforementioned hyperdoc, the instructor led us through a series of tabs that included examples of: charts, tables, and data. While there, we were invited to "play" around and practice some of the functions that Sheets has to offer. An example of how to use sheets to calculate and manipulate data is shown below:

Google Draw:

Another really cool, and underused feature in Drive, is Google Draw. And, although I am familiar with a great many of its features as it is very similar to those in Windows, I really hadn't thought of the potential this program could offer me or my students. As I begin to pull further away from Textbook and Worksheets, and closer to SAMR model lessons, I believe this will allow my students an easy platform for producing a variety of interesting and engaging products during both group and independent work. Below is an example from the workshop showing how teachers can create activities for student participation and assessment:

Google Forms:

This program has really been underused by me. I've not have any training on it previously, nor was I aware that Google had very accessible links to tutorials on all of their applications. As I explore this format more, I know that I will find a plethora of uses. One such feature is to create test/quizzes. There are ways in Forms that allow the creator set up "if/then" scenarios for differentiation. As we worked with the practice template, I found that it is very easy to use; however, I could see that, depending on what type of form and question/response format is being made, it would be very easy to lose track of steps in the process along the way. For this reason, the instructor advised that it is best to "map" out the design of your form to make sure that the flow is how you intend it to be. Below, is a brief snapshot of one of the steps to set up a question string:

Reflection:

As a whole, the workshop was well organized and very informative. I liked (and appreciated) how the presentation was laid out as well as the variety of resources provided. In preparation for this workshop, I went through many of the course links and tutorials, taking pages and pages of notes. I learned a few things during this process that I wasn't aware of so I'm glad that I took the time to do this. Additionally, I felt that I was "ready to go" and would be a valuable contributor to our interactive session. This was true for the most part. Although the instructor guided us along at a swift pace, I was able to follow along while using 2 devices, taking written notes, and playing around in the "sandbox" (so-to-speak) with my fellow cohort members. I loved that there were virtual "take-aways" that I have and may refer back to as needed.

WHAT I LEARNED: Most of the topics we covered were already familiar to me as I have dappled around a bit with Google Drive, Sheets, Slides, and Forms, since I became a teacher. However, I am only now realizing how dynamic this platform is and its limitless potential in the classroom. I am particularly interested in creating hyperdocs, Forms, and rubrics. I have colleagues that use Flubaroo all the time and say that it is quite a time-saver when it comes to grading assessments. Other colleagues have created a portfolio of Forms to evaluate student learning in all areas of science. One of our school district's strategic priorities is the integration of technology in the classroom, so I constantly endeavor to implement technology where I can. The truth is, I really had very little understanding as to the GREAT vastness of options there are that can be used to Substitute, Augment, Modify and Redefine the presentation of instruction and how it may be accessed by students. Therefore, I am thrilled about this course and its resources for my professional development.

CONFUSIONS/QUESTIONS: Although there was much learning and engagement occurring during this session, I have to admit that I nearly had a huge meltdown toward the end. It was probably a culmination of fatigue and an overload of information, but I really hit a wall when she showed us the slides for the Iron-Chef activity using the SAMR model. I realized in that moment that I was very lost and disoriented. I did not prep for this as I had the other topics (I don't even recall seeing it as a possible topic) so I was blindsided and suddenly the ONLY one in the group who had no idea about SAMR. I don't like the feeling of being lost or left behind (literally or figuratively) and that's exactly what I felt like; I was 5 years old and separated from my family at Disneyland...not fun! However, after a few hours of rest, my mind had a chance to process the events of the night before and I decided to give it another look. I found that there are TONS of resources (surprise, surprise) teaching about SAMR, as well as resources that show how this model may be implemented in the classroom. In fact, I became so smitten with this new-found understanding that I have decided to re-evaluate my direction for my final IEC Project!

I will continue to prepare for and enter into these workshops with an open-mind and a positive attitude, allowing myself to be pushed in less-than-comfortable directions in an effort to grow and develop as a professional.