Unit 2 - Facilitate

In this unit, we will look at technology tools that helps to facilitate learning. To facilitate means to make something easier. Isn't that one of the main roles of a teacher? To make learning easier - and more accessible - to learners? There are many tools that can help with facilitation. You'll start out looking at Google Tools. Then in Task 2, you'll start exploring a few facilitation tools that are used frequently in PreK-12 and higher education classrooms. Finally, in Task 3, you'll write a reflection making connections between what you have learned so far in the first two units.

Before you start this task, take a few minutes to read the first 4 pages of this document, "What is G Suite for Education" by Kasey Bell from Shake Up Learning. This is still relevant even though the name has changed to Google Workspace for Education. It's a nice overview of Google tools for education. Sure - there's no quiz to check if you read it. Honestly, who would know if you skipped it? But if you take the 5 minutes necessary to read the linked article, everything else you do in this task will make more sense. I promise that I truly only link to articles that help glue everything together. So please - just read it. Didn't you tell yourself at the end of last semester that you'd actually start doing the assigned readings?

Part 1: Complete the Fundamental Training Unit #1: Get Ready to Use Technology in the Classroom (3 pt.)

(Just Unit #1 - the entire training would take several days)

1. Go to the Google Workspace for Education Training page.

2. Click the "Start Training" button under the "For New Learners" section.

3. Work through the 5 sections of this unit and complete the Unit 1 review.

4. Take a screenshot of your Unit Review results (you can retake it until you get a perfect score, if you like) and post it on the Facilitate page you created on your course website (under the Insert menu, use the Upload button to upload your screenshot).

5. Write 4-5 sentences about what you learned from the tutorial (under the Insert menu, use the Insert Text Box option to write your sentences).

6. Make sure to publish your page using the Blue Publish button in the top right corner of your Google Sites screen to update what you've added. If it's not published - I can't see it.

Part 2: Complete an additional Fundamental Training Unit (2 pt.)

1. Pick one of the units (#3-13) to complete.

*Don't pay any attention to the suggested time required - most take much less than half the time listed. Choose a unit that's of interest to you - not the one that looks like it will be the quickest to finish. You're already here - so you might as well learn something you can use.

2. Work through all of the sections of the unit you select and then complete the unit review.

3. Take a screenshot of your Unit Review results (you can retake it until you get a perfect score, if you like) and post it on the Facilitate page you created on your course website (under the Insert menu, use the Upload button to upload your screenshot).

4. Write 4-5 sentences about what you learned from the tutorial (under the Insert menu, use the Insert Text Box option to write your sentences).

5. Make sure to publish your page using the Blue Publish button in the top right corner of your Google Sites screen to update what you've added.

**If you're an education major, you might want to consider exploring some of the other areas of Google Workspace for Education training and even completing some of the certification tests. Adding "Google Certified Teacher" to your vita is not a bad way to stand out from the crowd when you're applying for jobs!

Now that you know a bit more about Google Workspace for Education tools - what else is out there? For this task, you'll pick a facilitation tool from your textbook and explore it in-depth. Then, you'll build an artifact with the tool you explored and post it to your Facilitate webpage.

There are hundreds of tools to explore in your textbook. I've identified 12 types of tools that I think fit under the "Learning Facilitation" category - but you are more than welcome to choose a tool from your textbook that is found in a different tool chapter.

Part 2: Selecting and exploring facilitation tools (2 pt.)

1. Now that you've read about 12 different types of facilitation tools, select a type that is most interesting to you. Explore at least TWO of the tools listed for your facilitation type. [For instance, if I was interested in assessment, there are 12 different assessment tools explained in the textbook - from pages 57-61. I might choose to explore Formative (p. 59) and GradeCam (p. 59). ]

2. Spend some time reading the descriptions of the two tools you selected and then choose one to explore more in-depth.

3. Think of an artifact you can create to show what you've learned about the tool. Example: I might create a 5 question quiz about my major using Formative.

4. Once you've created your artifact - add a link or a screenshot (whichever makes the most sense for the tool you selected) to your Facilitate webpage and write 4-5 sentences describing what you created and what you learned.

5. Make sure to include the name of the tool you selected and a link to it. And don't forget to publish your page.

Part 3: Share your work (2 pt.)

1. Copy the link/screenshot/etc. that you have posted on your website and paste it to this shared Padlet. Use the format "last name_Tool Type" as the post title.

2. Add a comment to one of your classmates. Please show in your comment that you have thoroughly looked at the classmate's work. (A simple "Good job!" will not be so meaningful, right?) Remember to include your full name and click the save button to get credit for your comment.

It's time to think about what you've learned so far this semester. Since we're online - writing about our thinking is one of the best ways to communicate what you've learned. You'll use Google Docs to write a bit about what you've done in this unit and connect it to your readings from Unit 1.

Your finished piece will be 3-4 paragraphs (should not be longer than 5 paragraphs). You could type this directly on your Facilitate page but using a Google Doc and then embedding it gives you more editing options. Also - you don't have to address every single question that I ask - these are just suggestions of what to talk about in your writing. [If you've never created a Google Doc before, here's a good guide.]

Part 1: Create a new Google Doc and respond to the questions listed below.

Think about the articles you read in Unit 1: (Meaningful Learning with Technology, Universal Design for Learning, the ISTE Standards for Students) and all of the readings from your textbook. Where do you see themes/ideas from that article connecting with tools that you've learned about in this unit? There's no shame in looking back at your article to help with this. Quotes are a fantastic way to add a few sentences!!! Here are some ideas for what to think and write about:

• • • • • Based on the ideas found in your readings - what should teachers/students consider when using G Suite tools and/or the tool you chose in Task 2?

        • What would be an interesting way to use one of the G Suite tools and/or your Task 2 tool with a group of learners that would support what you read in your article?

        • Think about the ISTE standards you've read about. How can the G Suite tools and/or your Task 2 tool support that standard?

        • What is still confusing for you about the articles, the ISTE standards, or one of the tools that you used? What's an idea from the readings and/or a tool that you can see using beyond this semester?

Part 2: Look back at your work.

Once you're finished writing, look back over your work. Think about:

• Does it look like college-level writing?

• Does it look like a final draft (no typos or grammatical errors, 12pt, Times New Roman, double-spaced)?

• Are there multiple paragraphs?

• Do you reference readings and tools you've used?

• Does it reflect what you've learned so far (remember, you've just covered a huge chunk of this semester's information)?

Writing Tip: Take 10 seconds to read this writing tip: "Don't Just Write Words. Write Music" - it's some of the simplest (and most useful) writing advice I've ever seen.

Part 3 - Submit!

• Follow this guideline and post your Google document to your "Facilitate" page.

• DON'T FORGET TO CLICK THE BLUE PUBLISH BUTTON!!!