Overall Uses and Benefits: Each student at Calhoun has a student Gmail account. District-provided Gmail accounts are also available for teachers upon request. Gmail features Google Documents and Sites among many other Apps. Both teachers and students can create Documents, Presentations, Spreadsheets, Forms, Drawings and Sites that can be shared and collaborated on. All of these products can be linked to websites or blogs, can be edited in real-time from separate locations, and can be accessed from any computer.
Google Documents
These include general documents, presentation (slide show), and spreadsheets. A How To Guide to Google Docs |
Google Forms
Create a survey, form, questionnaire or quiz using Google Forms. Create questions, share with a link, all data comes back in an easy to read Google Spreadsheet. How to Guide to Google Forms |
Google Sites
Create a website using Google Sites. You can use one of the Google templates (there are hundreds), or start from a blank template. How to Guide Google Sites |
Ways to use Google Docs in your classroom:
- Students can work on essays in Google Docs, share them with you and you can edit their work in real time. This function can also be used for peer editing. You can grade essays in Google Docs and completely avoid any printing or paper use. Click HERE for a sample of edited student work.
- Group presentations can be created in Google Presentations. As a viewer, you can see the Revision History and can see who edited the presentation and specifically what they did. This is a great way to make sure that ALL group members are doing their part of the project. Click HERE for a sample Google Presentation.
- Teachers can upload and store their documents, notes and handouts in Google Docs. This will allow teachers to link their docs to a blog or website with ease. Once a doc is in google, you can access it from anywhere and students can as well. Click HERE for a sample of Class Notes.
- Google Forms: A simple way of creating forms/quizzes/assignments for your students. Forms can have multiple choice questions, paragraph responses, text boxes among other ways to respond. You can create forms for homework assignments, quizzes, or even parent contact information. Once the form in created, it can be linked to a blog/site or emailed to those you want to complete it. The responses come back in a nicely organized Google Spreadsheet that is easy to use and access. Click HERE for a sample form.