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Get Your Head in the Cloud

 

Here on our Getting It Right blog we usually showcase teachers and students using technology at RRHS. We'll add a few action shots and give you some creative commentary as well. However, in this edition our librarian wanted to add a little flavor to this months submission. 

I can tell this "Tech Diva"of ours, she's not one who follows BUT leads people to greatness where technology is concerned. Needless to say, we're becoming the best of friends. She is a keeper. :) 


The Google Suite: Get Your Head in the Cloud 

by Christina Taylor, RRHS "the Tech Diva" librarian

Sometimes just being able to wrap our minds around managing the various ability levels and diverse needs of our students is daunting.  Fortunately, the Google suite that comes with our district email is here to help; moreover, it’s free and can be manipulated to be as simple or complex as you like.  Christina Taylor, our new librarian and power user of these services, makes the following recommendations for managing classroom diversity and promoting student-centered learning that’s powered by Google.



Maximize the Mail


  • Use Gmail to create your own groups in your the contacts for students and colleagues.  This can be an extremely powerful tool for disseminating information en masse.
  • You can also create canned responses--such as notices about administrative paperwork, overdue materials, textbook numbers, upcoming tests, and project deadlines--that can be deployed as needed. Furthermore, this feature can be combined with a browser plug-in called Boomerang for Gmail to schedule automated messages in the future.
  • Virtual office hours or one-on-one tutoring can be arranged via the chat feature.


See the Sites


  • Not only is Google Sites more flexibility than TeacherWeb, but it also plays nicely with other Google products like Chrome, Drive, GTalk, Calendar, Blogger, Picasa, and YouTube.
  • Posting handouts and links is easier than in TeacherWeb.  Rather than posting a document, you can link to it in Drive and changes will be updated in real time.
  • Websites for co-teachers or PLC members can be connected so they are coordinated or managed by ONE person.


Deploy the Drive



  • By storing ALL your documents on Google Drive. You will be able to access them from anywhere you have Internet access.  You can even download a desktop application so that you can access it and save items to it just like your campus network drive, home hard drive, or flash drive.  Now, there’s no more need for shuttling documents from work to home and back again.
  • Drive gives you online access to word processor, presentation, spreadsheet, and drawing applications that are compatible with MS Office file formats.  In short, it’s a great option for students who must use a public library or borrowed computer, as well as those who do not have MS Office.
  • You can use it to make forms for automating information collection (e.g. textbook numbers, contact information, sign-up sheets.)
  • Drive has sharing capabilities that can be used with both students and colleagues!


**This post was originally written in collaboration with Brandi Cain, Round Rock High School Instructional Technology Specialist, and was published on the Round Rock High School Technology blog on March 25, 2013.**
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