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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.
TASK 1: Google Tools to Facilitate Learning (Due Feb 14)
TASK 1: Google Tools to Facilitate Learning (Due Feb 14)
Grade value: 5% of total grade
G Suite for Education is a group of tools that can be used to support teachers as they facilitate learning. We've already used a number of these tools to support teaching and learning in this course: you've filled out Google Forms, you've made a Google Site, you're getting all of your course assignments from a Google Site, too. Most of you have probably shared notes for a class via a shared Google Doc. Understanding more about this "ecosystem" of tools is pretty important to learning new ways to use technology as a teacher and as a learner. Seriously - all of these tools will help you in your current coursework.
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. It's a nice overview of the G Suite of 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 spring semester that you'd actually start doing the assigned readings?
When you are done reading the article above, let's move on the actual task: you're going to spend about an hour or two completing two tutorials about G Suite tools in K12 education. Along the way - you should learn more about how to apply these tools to your own productivity. This is a good excuse to grab your headphones (there are a few short videos you'll need to watch) and head to your favorite quiet spot.
PART 1: Complete the Fundamental Training Unit #1: Get Ready to Use Technology in the Classroom (3pt.)
(Just Unit #1 - the entire training would take several days)
Work through the 5 sections of this unit and complete the Unit review.
Take a screenshot of your Unit Review result (aim to receive 8/8) 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).
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). If you missed some questions in the unit review section, review those questions in the reflection.
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.
↑ This is the training you'll choose. You'll see blue checkmarks when you're done.
↑ This is what the review result will look like.
PART 2: Complete an additional Fundamental Training Unit. (2pt.)
Pick one of the units #3-8.
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.
Work through all of the sections of the unit you select and then complete the unit review.
Take a screenshot of your Unit Review results (aim to get 100%) and post it on the Facilitate page you created on your course website.
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).
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.
↑ Choose one of these units.
** If you're an education major, you might want to consider exploring some of the other areas of G Suite 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!
TASK 2: Choose your own facilitation tool to explore (Due Feb 21)
TASK 2: Choose your own facilitation tool to explore (Due Feb 21)
Grade value: 7% of total grade
Now that you know a bit more about G Suite 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 10 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 1: Get an overview of different types of facilitation tools
Before you start - I want you to read the overview for several types of facilitation tools. It's going to take me longer to type out the list than it will take you to read them - so don't freak out:
Assessment p. 63
Classroom Management p. 80
Feedback p. 104
Flashcard Creators p. 109
Flipped & Blended Learning p. 111
Games p. 118
Learning Management Systems p. 143
Note-taking p. 172
Parent Engagement p. 176
Presentation p. 188
Survey Tools p. 229
PART 2: Selecting and exploring facilitation tools (4pt.)
Now that you've read about 11 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 9 different assessment tools explained in the textbook - from pages 63-66. I might choose to explore Formative (p. 64) and GradeCam (p. 65).]
Spend some time reading the descriptions of the two tools you selected and then choose one to explore more in depth.
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.]
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.
Make sure to include the name of the tool you selected and link to it. And don't forget to PUBLISH your page!
PART 3: Share your work! (3pt.)
Copy the link/screenshot/etc. that you have posted on your website and paste it to this shared Padlet wall. Use the format "last name_first name" as the post title.
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.
TASK 3: Making Connections: How Do These Tools Help to Facilitate Learning? (Due Feb 28)
TASK 3: Making Connections: How Do These Tools Help to Facilitate Learning? (Due Feb 28)
Grade value: 5% of total grade
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.
Create a new Google Doc and respond to the questions listed below. Your finished piece will be 3-4 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 is a good guide.]
** Use 11pt. Arial, Double-spaced, Double-check for typos!
PART 1 - Write a reflection (3-4 paragraphs) about how the tools help facilitate learning and teaching.
Think about the readings you completed (Meaningful learning, ISTE Standards, UDL, Textbook readings). Where do you see themes/ideas from these articles connecting with tools that you've learned about in this unit? (There's no shame in looking back at your readings 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 choosing tools to facilitate teaching and learning?
What would be an interesting way to use the facilitation tool you focused on with a group of learners that would support what you read in the articles?
Think about the ISTE standards you've read about. How can the tools you explored support one or more standards?
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 past 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)?
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.)
PART 3 - Submit.
Follow these guidelines to post your Google document to your “Facilitate” page.
Make sure to change the share setting to “anyone with the link” and publish the website! (VERY IMPORTANT!!)
*OPTIONAL* Bonus Task: Decorate Your "Home" Page (Due Feb 28)
*OPTIONAL* Bonus Task: Decorate Your "Home" Page (Due Feb 28)
Grade value: 1 bonus point!
You may have noticed that your "Home" page of the portfolio website is left blank. Let's take a moment to decorate the page! After all, it is your "home" page - which basically is the cover page of your website that serves an important part in giving viewers a good "first impression". (The "Home" page should be different from your "About" page.)
There should be mainly TWO parts to your Home page:
Post anything that shows who you are. For example, you can post your favorite travel photos, introduce your pet, share your favorite poem, a video, anything - as long as it somehow shows who you are! Add a sentence or two (or more if you want) of how what you've posted is related to you. Feel free to be creative!
Add a button that links to your About page. (Here is a quick tutorial on how to add a button.)
Then,
Submit your portfolio home link here to let me know that you have done the task. (I won't be able to know and give you point unless you submit the form.) Make sure you copy the "published site link" that directly links to your "Home" page!
You can take a look at others' pages here. (You should be able to find your own submission here as well.)
(This is a completely optional task so you will not have any penalty for not doing it. However, it is a good opportunity to easily earn and save an extra point in case you may need it in the future.)
Yay! You've completed Unit 3! Please make sure to email me if you have questions or concerns at any point in these tasks. Remember that all tasks are due at midnight of each due date. No need to email me once you're finished. The next set of tasks will be posted by Monday, March 1st at noon.
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