902 - Final Reflection

As a result of this course and participation in the workshops, I have learned a tremendous amount about how to utilize the Google suite of tools to enhance student learning in my classroom. Within Google, the three tools I have found to be most transformational in my own teaching are Google Docs, Google Classroom, and Google Maps.

Google Docs

In the past, I have had my students work through the whole writing process with paper and pencil. They would brainstorm, outline, and create rough drafts. Then I would spend a bunch of time marking up drafts with red pen and having writing conferences with my students. Once they finished, they would type a final copy, and we would print it out. This use of technology was merely substitution. Thanks to Google Docs, I can help my student work through the writing process in a digital environment and in live time. While my students are working, I can go into their documents and use the suggesting mode to suggest edits and revisions while they are working. As a result, I can help more students improve their writing in much less time. Students also share their documents with a peer for peer review and editing. In addition to just the text, students enhance their stories and reports with images or inserted Google drawings. Images help students more fully communicate their ideas.

Google Classroom

Google Classroom has transformed my classroom by improving workflow and management. In Google Classroom, I can post an assignment, question, or announcement. It is a quick way for me to share a link or resources with my class as well. Initially, I was only using Google Classroom to create assignments, but now I am using more of the features like "question." It is an excellent way to get a quick check for understanding from my students or to facilitate a class discussion when students are allowed to view each other's responses. I am glad that Google added the schedule function. I create my assignments or questions ahead of time and then schedule them to appear in Google classroom at a particular time. My next step with Google Classroom is to explore the parent invite option and see if that is something I want to implement in my classroom. Using a digital forum for discussion allows quite students a safe environment to share their ideas. Also, many students can share their thoughts at one time as opposed to whole class discussions where there is only one speaker at a time and they are the two or three students that the teacher calls on.

Google Maps

I am so excited to begin using Maps more in my classroom. I already have my first introduction to maps planned when my students return to class in January. We will be creating a shared map with pins indicating a place each student visited over the winter break. Students will be able to share experiences and explore each other's adventures. We will be studying the CA missions, and I plan on having students create Tour Builder projects following the work of Fr. Serra building the missions along the CA coast. Tour Builder will be a great was to enhance our study of pioneers and westward movement. Students can create a tour of the journey of the Donner Party across the country and through the Sierra Nevada mountains. When we read "By the Great Horn Spoon" student will keep a reading response journal on a map charting the adventure of the main character, Jack, as he travels on a steamship around Cape Horn to CA during the Gold Rush. With maps, students will be able to see the places we are learning about in history which will help the content become more meaningful for them.

IEC Google + Community

I have enjoyed getting to know my cohort members through the Google + IEC Community these past few weeks.

I am an avid user of the app Seesaw for student-driven digital learning journals, and I was able to share with the community some of the resources Seesaw was providing for Computer Science Education week. My class participated in one of the live webinars with the Seesaw developers on Design Thinking. The students loved it.

It was also nice to learn that other cohort members are participating in Matt Millers, Digital Learning Summit. Knowing that Evelyn is also involved gives me someone to debrief with after the video sessions. I also shared my first blog entry for my IEC project in Google + and was excited to get my first comment from fellow cohort member, Diane.

Our cohort had some good discussions about what type of content teachers should and should not post on class websites after our Google Site workshop, and Stephanie started a conversation about the SAMR model after our workshop with Ed. I look forward to continuing to share with and learn from this amazing community of educators. There was also discussion about who would be attending the CUE National Conference in Palm Springs. It will be fun to meet some IEC people in person.

IEC Project

I started my Blog, Operation STEAM Lab. I wrote my first post indicating my hopes and goals for this project.

I will be meeting with my principal when we return to school in January to discuss plans for where we will store things and what items we want to purchase, as well as training opportunities for staff.

I am thrilled that my principal is so onboard and willing to support this movement. I am planning on hosting an after-school fundraising "STEAM Party" where kids can explore with the materials we already have.

As I am embarking on this journey, I realize there is a lot to learn about the maker movement. I began my studying today with this book, World of Making by Laura Fleming, @LFlemingEDU. She also has a great blog at Worlds of Learning.

Before I can make any changes at my school, I need to spend time studying the differences between a STEM lab and a Makerspace and talk with my colleagues and principal to determine what type of environment we are trying to achieve. The book talks about creating a theme for your makerspace. I believe our school will be leaning toward robotics. It has been great meeting fellow teachers in this cohort that have experience with the materials I am interested in implementing at my school. It was exciting to get my first blog comment from my cohort member, Diane.

Electives

I have registered and received materials for my first elective, EDUC-914, Effective Strategies, Using Technology to Differentiate for Student Success.

The past few weeks have been busy with the course work and workshops for CITEC-902 as well as parent-teacher conferences at school. Now that I am on winter break, I plan on making the time to complete this elective course.

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