10.04.19
Google Tools & Creative Ways to Demonstrate Learning
"How can I learn more about Google tools (G Suite) for use with students ----and for me?"
In WCPSS, students and staff are expected to use a range of Google products. As staff, it is a good idea to know how to use these tools for yourself as well as assist students in using them effectively. There are a lot of resources available to help you build your knowledge. Remember: It's not about the tool...It's about the learning!
Click the text or video tags to learn more about each tool.
Become a Google Certified Educator
One of the best ways to learn how to effectively use Google products in your classroom is to become a Google Certified Educator.
On the Digital Learning website, you will find resources that will help you to become a Level 1 or Level 2 Google Certified Educator. Level 1 focuses on how to use the tools effectively with students, especially for designing more creative lessons. You will also learn how to improve your productivity. Level 2 is slightly more advanced and focuses on truly integrating the tools in your classes as well as lots of time-saving tips. Regardless, check out the Digital Learning website for tips on how to use Classroom, Expeditions, Docs, Drawings, Drive, Forms, Keep, Maps, etc.
Take Kyte Learning courses
There are a large variety of Kyte Learning courses that teach you how to use a specific Google tools. I particularly like the courses that use the tools to enhance the curriculum such as learning how to create 'Choose Your Own Adventure' Slides or using Google Classroom for Inquiry-based learning.
Kyte Learning, our online PD resource, is located on your WakeID dashboard.
What are some more creative ways students can demonstrate what they know?
Dances
Use Code.org to allow students to Code a Dance Party. Students can code a dance to represent a historical time period or to represent the movement of objects.
Diagrams
Use Google Jamboard to create interactive diagrams and to organize resources for a project.
Jamboard is a free web/ mobile app that allows you to grab images and content from the web and bring them straight into your jam. You can pull in work from Docs, Sheets, and Slides and even add photos stored in Drive. Click the tags in the image above and/or check out this video.
Diary Entries
Use Write Reader (K-2) or Google Docs (K - 5) to compose diary entries. Students can recount an event that happened to them, such as going on a field trip. Alternatively, students could pretend to be a fictional character and write about something that happened in a book.
Write Reader is a very simple program that allows student to create their own digital books. See the Quick Start guide here.
Drawings
Use Google Drawings to create drawings as well as charts, diagrams, and flow charts. Google Drawings is also helpful for creating drag-and-drop activities and graphic organizers.
Check out this collection of graphic organizer and templates. (Bonus: You can upload these templates into Seesaw and use them as a background for drag and drop activities.) You can learn more about Google Drawings here.
What is a QR code? How do I create QR codes?
- A QR Code is a two-dimensional barcode that is readable by smart devices. For our purposes, QR Codes may be used to display text to the user or to open a URL - which could contain audio recordings, photos, videos, websites, etc.
- One of the simplest ways to create QR codes is to use the link on the Bugg website. Go to Bugg website > Students > 1 Scan QR code; the QR Code Generator site will open. Select 'Generate'. Then choose 'URL'.
- Many programs have to option to share work via a QR code.