Google Apps

I believe Google Apps-Education Edition would have definitely helped me as a student! When I was an undergrad (many many moons ago), there was no Google Email, Docs, Talk, Video, Site or Calendaring. First of all, Google Docs would have helped me prepare documents when I wasn’t at home. I wouldn’t have been worried about rushing home to finish a paper. Somehow my floppy disk always broke (I just dated myself!) I could have done it from anywhere there was an internet connection. Also, I wouldn’t have had to print it out and take it to a classmate to help me with the paper. We could have done it together over the internet or as soon as my classmate logged onto a computer.

Google Chat would have been even better! I could’ve talked to classmates directly as long as they had a webcam. Even if they didn’t, we could have at least chatted on Gmail. Projects could’ve been completed so much quicker. Also if I had questions of any kind, I could’ve had my questions answered right away instead of looking around for a classmate all day. This would’ve definitely helped when I missed class. These apps would have helped stay in contact with instructors as well. Google Video would’ve been beneficial also. In the past when groups gave presentations, if you missed or didn’t understand part of it, all was lost. Having Google Video, we would’ve been able to share videos and catch up on any parts of the presentations we missed.

Google Calendars would have helped organize social groups in which I was involved. We wouldn’t have had to call everyone’s room to find them and inform them of an event. Also, there would’ve been advanced notice of who was coming and any thoughts or concerns they may have had. Google Sites would have just been the icing on the cake, so to speak. Classroom groups or organizations could have created websites to advertize and give information about a special presentation or an organization’s functions. Each member could have collaborated on the site about any events or information.

As an elementary teacher, I could use the collaborative Google Apps, such as Google Docs, to have students get together in small groups to work on a research paper in class and out. Students could also use this when doing peer revisions in Language Arts. My class could use Google Sites to set up a website for the class and keep everyone posted on the class’s events for the unit or semester. I could also leave helpful hints or notes that students could use for homework or other class projects. Only my class members would have access to the site in this case. Students could set up sites as a class project. We could also have the site updated by different groups at different times of the year. I could use the Video apps site to share important videos that students may need to view repeatedly or at a later date. The students absent from class could also catch up using this application.

I could also use the Talk or Chat apps for helping students with their homework-although, I would have to set a specific time of the evening in which to do this. I would probably designate an hour on a particular night for students to contact me so as to not overwhelm me. Students could use the Chat or Talk apps to interact with students from other places too. I could also use the Calendar app to help me keep up with my lesson or school activities. Appointed students can help me by collaborating with me and updating or helping me change the classroom calendar activities. As a class, we could also use these apps to interact with other classes within our school or in another school across the country!