TOOLS FOR SUCCESS

Google Meet is the place teachers and students can Meet and interact together. Meet is the interactive platform Garrard County is using. Some of you may have used Zoom, Skype, Microsoft Teams or other platforms in your work. Google Meet provides the same type of opportunity but connects to Google Classroom and the other Google apps.

Google Docs is similar to Microsoft Word. Students can create documents using Google Docs. Teachers can review student work and include comments and feedback. Multiple students can collaborate simultaneously on a document. Teachers may utilize Google Docs for various writing assignments and they can even use it as a method for checking in with a class since all members of a class can be on the same Google Doc at the same time. It is a pretty cool collaboration tool.

Google Sheets is similar to Microsoft Excel. Students can use Google Sheets to build spreadsheets individually or collaboratively with other classmates. This is another tool that allows teachers and students to interact together at the same time. It is another great collaboration tool.

Google Slides is similar to Microsoft PowerPoint. Teachers will utilize Google Slides for presentation they share with classes and they are easily linked to Google Classroom. Students may access teacher assignments; reading experiences; books; and many other things from a Google Slide. Students may also use Google Slides to complete projects or assignments as a way of share their work with their teacher(s) and classmates.

YouTube is a free video sharing website pretty well know by just about everyone. Each teacher in Garrard County Schools has their own YouTube Channel. This is where instructional videos will be stored for students to view. Much of the new instruction will occur through YouTube videos and then interactive experiences for students will occur through the Google tools listed above. Videos on a teacher's channel will be available for viewing by students multiple times if needed. Parents coming home from work can access the videos as well to help support students with assignments or projects the student is completing.

Remind is a communication platform that helps educators reach students and parents where they are. Messages are sent in real time to an entire class, a small group, or just a single person. Garrard County Schools has purchased Remind for all teachers. However, some teachers currently use other platforms for communicating with students and parents. If your child's teacher uses a different platform for communicating with you, she/he will explain the platform to you and will help you connect to the platform.

Class Dojo is a communication platform some teachers are already using that helps them reach students and parents. It does many of the same things as Remind and for teachers already comfortable with the platform, it may continue to be their favorite form of communication with students and parents.

Flipgrid is a video sharing tool. It allows teachers and students to communicate with short videos. It is a tool that is accessible and easily used. Teachers create "grids" that are like message boards. Teachers can pose questions called "topics" and students can respond with videos posts in the tiled grids.

i-Ready is an online assessment and learning platform. It helps teachers provide a path to proficiency and growth in both reading and mathematics. Garrard County Schools has used i-Ready for several years so most students will be familiar with it and will be capable of utilizing the platform with very little challenge.