902- CUE Workshop: Google Drive, Google Docs and Google Forms

The workshop by Marlena Heburn covered a multitude of topics including: the difference between apps, extensions, and add-on's and where to find them in the google store or on the Google item itself (i.e. document or slides), Google sheets and how to use the data drop-down, create various charts and tables, how to sort data, and use conditional formatting; Google draw; Google Forms; Hyperdocs; and the Iron Chef Protocol.

With all of the information covered in the workshop, it did feel a little overwhelming as to how I would be able to wrap my head around all information and be able to present it in a concise and meaningful manner. As I began my work day the day following the workshop I realized that I was already integrating some of the ideas in to my classroom. These were the tools that I had used previously, but know I am able to add something more to them. The rest of the information is something that I will most likely have to revisit until I feel comfortable using, either just myself or with my students.

Reflection:

The information presented in the 902 CUE Workshop: Google Drive, Google Docs, and Google Forms was extremely valuable to myself and the education community. All of the information presented could applied in the classroom or used by the teacher to make their workflow easier. Some of the items presented were ones that I am already familiar with and learned more about, whereas others were ones that I am not familiar with and felt like I was learning from scratch. What I found amazing was that the very next day, I was using both (items I was familiar with and those I was not) during my work day. So, the workshop definitely gave me something to “use the next day”.

The discussion will definitely change some of my teaching practices. The use of the add-on “Orange Slice” will be immediately implemented into my classroom. I found this resource to be extremely valuable as I been wanting to find a rubric add-on to use. At one point, I was introduced to “JoeZoo Express” via social media, but did not get a formal training on it. When I tried to use the add- on, I found it very time consuming and impracticable because I could not upload my own rubric into the add-on and had to use the provided template. As I have seen with “Orange Slice” it is exactly what I am looking for and very easy to use once shown, The only application of it that I need to further my knowledge in is how to use the student add-on. Which I will be looking into very soon because I like to have my students provide peer reviews to their classmates.

Another item presented that will change my teaching practices is the Iron Chef lesson protocol. First, I have to say that everything I have ever seen or heard presented by Jon Corippo always seems to make perfect since- his logic is always, well, very logical. I had heard about the Iron Chef a while ago, but did not know exactly how it worked. And as I am a major fan of jigsaw, I also see a downfall when students leave out pertinent information. The Iron Chef lesson design helps eliminates that downfall for me by allowing multiple students to research and present the same information, This allows students to present different information on the same topic, so information left out by one student could be added by another or students may present the information in a different manner which may be beneficial to students instead of getting all the information in the same way. I am excited to implement the Iron Chef lesson Protocol in my classroom.

I do believe that the information presented is worth sharing with my colleagues. I will definitely reach out to them and share what I have learned. I plan to do this in small bites with tools that I feel comfortable with that way if they need support, I will be able to provide it. I do like that I have been using the “screencastify” extension to record my blogs. It has been easier for me to capture the information by actually walking through it rather than writing about it. I believe that these blogs will also be beneficial with my colleagues that I share with because it shows the exactly what to do and how to navigate through the tools.

I have definitely been inspired by this workshop. Although, I was initially completely overwhelmed by the information presented, a few days have helped me process and feel confident about what I have learned. I am inspired to try make changes in my teaching, even if they start out as little transitions. I am always willing to explore new ideas, and find that it is easier for me when I see ideas that I can actually work through and not just handed something. My innovative project will be around the idea of developing a website with my colleague that showcases Project Based/Inquiry style learning based on the new California History framework for middle school teachers/students. I can see using the Iron Chef lesson plan as something that can be incorporated into this. The use of the Orange Slice add-on would also be effective. I envision that students will be assessed based on showcasing information that they have learned or the solution to problems that they have been presented with. With that being said, I envision that the assessment evaluation needs to be the same however they choose to present their ideas. Orange Slice would be a great way to share a rubric with them and provide feedback.

I am ready to learn more!!