Tool # 6: Using Web Tools to Promote Discussion in and out of the Classroom

1.  Choose at least two of the tools from the above list. Create an account for each (if required) .

Twitter: TheresaTrevino

Facebook:  Theresa Schwab Trevino

Skype:  Theresa Schwab Trevino
Today's Meet:  None Needed
Google Docs


2.  Use each of the tools you choose to create a sample of how you would use it in your classroom.

Here is what I did this last year:

Skype a Geologist

Vidyo Conference with Arizona State University

Skype with Frostwood Elementary
Google Docs:

Share your thoughts on how you see the tools being integrated into your classroom. How do you see them encouraging participation?

My class LOVED using Skype!  They enjoyed speaking with people who where the experts!  They also enjoyed speaking with kids from another school.  As far as the participation goes - they were 98% engaged.  


Google Docs:  My kids loved this one as well.  However, I learned a few lessons the HARD way!  First, I learned that the kids have access to the things that I share at home.  This may not be a big deal for Secondary kids, but in the Primary sector, all things must be completed at school to assure that the kids did the work without any help!  


Todays Meet was wonderful!  It was a great way to back channel conversations.  We used it to ask questions to Arizona State University.

Tool # 4 Moving Up To The Clouds

1.  Create at least one document in Google Docs and share it with a few others on your campus or within your department.  It could be a team member, a department colleague, or another teacher with whom you plan a collaboration.  Ask that person to comment or chat a real-time edit the document with you.

Create one form in Google Docs and send it via email to at least two other people and ask them to respond.

Briefly discuss how you can use the tools in Google Apps with your team or department.  How can you incorporate Google Apps as a tool in your classroom?  Which tools are you excited about using with students?

Well, this past year, I created a Google Docs to share with my class.  It was an American Hero Test.  I thought why not try something new and go "paperless".  The cool part of this was that it was quick and easy.  I didn't have to wait for the copier to be "free" or to have paper to run it.  The downfall was that it never dawned on me that my kids would access this at home and complete it there.  Once they discovered email, my world changed!  So, I became more aware of when I would share docs with them… sometimes waiting until 10 minutes before lab time or stations.  

Another document I shared was the criteria of our bird report.  This worked well but again, I had to make sure that the kids were only working on this at school.  So, I fibbed and told them that it date & time stamped the document and I'd know that if they did it at home, the grade wouldn't count!  They would have to redo it at school either before or after school.  That seemed to help!  I truly wish I could have better control of this.

Lastly, I used it as a way to motivate kids to try new technology at home.  I had the pleasure to sit in on a conference with Heidi Hayes Jacobs and learned about a very cool website called www.Zooburst.Com

So, I explained to my students that if they wanted some extra credit (for tickets not points), they could play around on this website and shared directions with them over Google Docs.  This helped me share access information - a subscription that I paid for so that my kids could create some super cool non-fiction pop up books with sound.  This, by the way, was a HIT!