Jason+Van+Nus

General Sessions

Mr. Jason Van Nus
Instructor/Bus. Ed. Department Head Colquitt County High School

//Thursday, Nov. 3, 12-1pm// //Session Block: 7B, Session 155 - Salon 2// //Online Evaluation//

__**Description of Session:**__ This session will cover the reasons "why we should" and then "how we can" replace Microsoft Office with Google Documents. The main thrust of the session will be cost effectiveness (due to budgetary constraints) and student achievement through collaboration. The topics of: convenience and organization for teachers will also be represented within this session; referring to programs like flubaroo. There has never been a tool with more potential for student collaboration than Google Documents. Time permitting, we will even discuss some class activities that have already been implemented within the Presenters classes as well of some that could be implemented. With the last part of our session we will go to Google Docs for a little hands on training!

(Due to recent changes by Google in the programs that they offer, this session will no longer include Google reader, igoogle, and Picassa; as they will be merged with Google+ and no longer be individual programs)

media type="custom" key="11102354" [Above is an example of the capabilities of customized widgets in Google Voice as discussed (time permitting) in the Seminar. This one is set up to go straight to voicemail and is used as a personalized message service]

media type="custom" key="11101812" Link to presentation: @https://docs.google.com/present/view?id=dcd3rb64_611fv3trkd9
 * Links and/or Materials (may not be complete until day of presentation)**

Additional Links to articles

__**Example Activities:**__ __**1) Google Docs Wiki:**__
 * Most wiki's cannot be collaborated on "at the same time"...but Google Doc can.
 * Assign each group a topic/section from book (or for independent research)
 * Create and share a document with all of them, giving them permissions to edit it.
 * Each student/group will begin adding to the document from their section (all during the same period).
 * Explain students will be able to use the document on their test.
 * this builds in accountability across the class. If they can use it on the test...they will make sure the info is correct.
 * this is built in __**accountability #1**__ - students will review not only their work but the work of others to make sure that it is correct. (Peer review/correction)
 * Students who don't participate (you can tell from the revisions history) will not get credit and can not use the document on the test)
 * This is built in __**accountability #2**__.
 * Give appropriate amount of time to complete
 * Teacher goes in and makes changes to existing document...some good (clarifying confusing responses) and some bad.
 * Teacher then reassigns students to a different section. They are to cross check information against book (or research) looking for errors inserted by teacher.
 * This is built in __**accountability #3**__. (Encourages peer review, higher order thinking, compare/contrast skills, deduction skills, error correction, etc...).
 * Students have to use deduction skills and context clues to avoid erasing teacher additions that are meant to be helpful/clarifying.
 * This also keeps students from just looking in the revisions history and changing everything the teacher added/changed.
 * to avoid this...the teacher could just save the document with his/her changes by selecting "make a copy" from the "file menu". Teacher will be asked whether or not they want to share "copy" with editors...select "yes".
 * then edit permissions for their original document by taking students off as editors/collaborators.
 * doing this leave students with access only to the new, copied document...which has no revisions history.
 * Continue this process until each student has worked with each section of the material.
 * Design and administer a test allowing students to use the document that they created as a class.

__**2) Online Portfolio's**__
 * No more printing paper use.
 * Students complete teacher assignments sharing each assignment with the teacher. Another option is to share the entire folder with the teacher.
 * no more taking stacks of paper home...just log on and grade.
 * made easier with sharing for "comment only". Teacher can use just like the mark-up/comment feature in word.
 * Students can save all assignments in a organized folder within Google Docs, serving as their online portfolio.
 * no more big bulky folders to carry around, turn in, take home, etc...
 * no more printing, wasting paper, etc...
 * students/teacher can choose to make individual work public in the "sharing" options.


 * __3) Group work across periods, class, schools, states, etc... (Could incorporate Skype into instruction)__**
 * This works best if you have multiple periods of the same class. It is also very interesting to do with another teacher who has the same class.
 * Collaborating with another subject or area. (I have not done this yet...but would love to try...eg. English class/web page design. Having the English students proof the content for the web page students.)

__**4) Brainstorming/Research sessions**__
 * Give students a topic and let them go...creating their own text book!
 * Using this material to create your own text book greatly ensures the timeliness of the material that you teach!
 * eg. Many history classes have text books that still say USA has never had an African American President
 * allowing students to update last years "Google Doc. textbook" keeps material fresh