Google Sites

Link to my site:
Mrs. Barnhart's Class Site

Google Sites is a great tool to use as a teacher.  I can communicate with not only my parents, but my students as well.  The elementary school I will pursue a job at after graduation has a website.  On that website, each grade level teacher has their own website for their class where they give information specifically for their class like schedule, homework, etc.  If I do get hired there, I would definitely use Google Sites to make my classroom site.

I first started with choosing my layout and design. I began by making a home page.  I used the home page as an opening to welcome the students and parents to my site.  I then wanted to create tabs on the side for my different pages.  I had a little bit of trouble with this.  I was able to create a classroom resources, but I wanted to also create other columns for other pages.  Under my classroom resources, I made a class schedule.  I originally made the schedule and tabbed over to make the "special schedule." I then revised my page and created a two column layout so that my special schedule was over to the right separated. 

I then created a calendar.  Originally I inserted a classic Google calendar.  I then decided to revise the calendar and add the American holidays to it, because we would not have school those days.  If it was my real classroom, I would use the calendar to insert any field trips or special activies and tests into it.  The calendar feature is extremely handy to use so that the parents can look ahead and know what will be coming up.  I then added a page for parent resources.  I would edit this page throughout the school year.  I began with the resources for beginning school.  Kindergarten is a big step in both the children and parent's life, so it is good for the parents to have resources on how to prepare their student.

I enjoyed learning about Google Sites.  While it is still completely new to me and I have never ever made a webpage before, I learned quite a bit.  I would definitely want to play around with this more and learn many other features to make my webpage more appealing (mines seems a little dull.)  Overall I like Google Sites and plan on using it in the future.

FORMS

Click on following links to view my work:
TN Quiz
Quiz Responses
Gradebook
(Responses is on Sheet1 and Gradebook is on Sheet2)

Forms is a great tool for teachers.  I was able to create a self-grading quiz by following the handout Dr. Krug gave in class, as well as use the links under Forms for some extra help.  I first created the Quiz.  After creating the quiz, I entered the correct responses.  The, I took the quiz as a student for an example by getting some correct and incorrect.  The answers were then transferred to Spreadsheets and I made additional students and "tested" them.  After I reviewed and made my self-grading quiz, I made a second sheet on Spreadsheets and used it as gradebook.  The hardest part I found was getting the formula to work from moving my grades from one sheet to another.  It took me quite a few hours to get it right, as well as watching numerous YouTube tutorials, but I was finally able to figure it out.  Every time I put "Form Responses 1" it would not transfer it to the other sheet.  I believe once I become more familiar with Spreadsheets and Forms and the different, more complicated formulas (those different than Excel) it would not take me as long to do. 

However, I did feel very accomplished once I completed the quiz and gradebook.  I could definitely see myself using this in the classroom.  Last night at a family cookout, I discussed Forms and Sheets with my Aunt.  She is a 3rd grade teacher at Sevierville Intermediate School and just took a class on Google Apps.  She stated her class is getting Chromebooks this coming year or next.  We discussed using Sheets for a gradebook.  She said she could definitely see using it in her classroom and I showed her what we were working on (Quiz and gradebook.) She stated this help her, because she still had some questions after her class (it was a short class she stated.) She also looked through the Graham book and took notes she could use later in the classroom.  It was neat to get my Aunt's perspective, since she is an active teacher who has taught over 20 years.

Chapter 7 in our Graham book discusses Forms.  Forms can be used in relation to CCCSS in different ways.  The book gives examples that Forms can be used by students to present information in an organized way.  It is also giving students the "use of digital median and visual displays of data to express information and enhance understanding of presentations" (Graham, pg. 117.)  If students were given a project in Science they had to collect data overtime like say a weather project, they could do this using Forms.  Forms is a great tool for both students and teachers.

Google Docs

Google Docs is similar to Microsoft Word.  Google Docs allows you to not only take notes, but write down anything you would like.  After learning about Google Docs, I could see myself using it instead of Word.  I like how you do not have to constantly save your work.  I also like how it is on Google Drive, and I can access it anywhere I am as long as I have internet.  I do not have to constantly email it to myself.  Like Word, I am able to insert pictures, graphs, and links into my Google Docs.  It has most of the same features as Word.  These are some of Doc's strengths.  The only weaknesses Docs has in my mind is that it is so similar to Word, that some people might just continue to use Word.  That being said, I still think I would switch over to Docs simply for the fact my work is saved on Google Drive and I can access it easier than something in Microsoft Word.

Google Docs also allows you to share your documents with others.  This allows that person to edit and collaborate on your work.  After collaborating my Doc, it was interesting to see someone else's perspective.  This could be useful for students when writing a paper.  They could share it with their classmate or teacher to make sure they are on the right track before they turn it in.  This is something Microsoft Word is not capable of.

Google Docs is tied into CCSS in different ways.  Our Google Apps book talks about a student could be asked to read a book and do a report on it.  They then can take that information and present it using a brochure they made in Docs (Graham, pg. 42.)  This relates to the Language Arts standards and shows students can read and build upon what they read.  They can also retell a story they read using different things.  Google Docs has many great aspects I can use as a teacher but also in my classroom with my students.

Spreadsheets

Mrs. Barnhart's Gradebook (Link to my spreadsheet)

The spreadsheet was not as complicated as I thought it was going to be.  It is very similar to Excel.  I use Excel a lot at my place of work (Accounting for my family's Hospitality Company) and found it not extremely difficult.  Most of the functions and formulas were the same.  Like Excel, you are also able to insert a formula, and then drag ur curser down so it fills in the same formula for other lines you want to have matching formulas.  I found it easy to fill in my information, and then insert the formula to match the answer I was needing.  Everything stayed neat and organized.

I could definitely see myself using this as a gradebook as a teacher.  If you already had the spreadsheet made, all a teacher would have to do is input numbers.  One could even have the formulas already inserted as well.  This makes for a fast and productive way to organize grades.  Being able to save it on the computer is also great for me so I don't have to worry about bringing it with me or losing it.  I can access it anywhere I have internet.

The easiest part of the spreadsheet I thought was the actual formulas.  Most of the formulas were the same so I did not have to look up new ones and learn them.  It is so easy to insert the formula and then just click or click and drag the numbers you want inputted into that formula.  I love how it does all the math for me, so there is less of a chance of a mistake (if all of the numbers and formulas are inputted correctly.)  The one thing that is still not clear to me is wrapping text.  On my grade scale, I wanted to wrap the text so that the text "Grade Scale" was all in one box rather than two.  I had trouble with the "wrapping text" function even in Excel.

Spreadsheets could be used to address CCSS in many different ways.  As a whole, the teacher could use a spreadsheet on the board to show the class average for a quiz or grade.  This shows assessment and if students understand what they are being taught.  Some ways for students to use spreadsheets would be to collect data and input that into a spreadsheet.  They can then use that date to make different charts and scales to show their findings.  Ch. 9 talks about how Mathematical Practice is perfect for spreadsheets and allows students to use critical thinking in their work with spreadsheets (Graham, pg. 93)

I enjoyed using Spreadsheets and can continue to see myself use this in my future teaching career not only as a gradebook, but incorporating it in my teaching as well.  The more I use spreadsheets, the more familiar I will become with it, which will allow me to use it for even more things!

Google Drive/ Presentations

Google Presentations is extremely similar to Microsoft PowerPoint.  The layout for the most part is the same.  I can add slides and change the layout of each slide if I choose.  I can also change the animation of when text appears during my presentation.  I have made many PowerPoints during college for different projects like group presentations and individual presentations.  I have also used them for teaching a lesson plan.  I like how Google Presentations automatically saves my work.  Microsoft PowerPoint does not do this.  Presentations allows you to share with certain people, where as PowerPoint does not.  Google Presentations only allows you to copy, cut, and paste using the keyboard shortcuts.  PowerPoint allows you to do this with the mouse as well.  Overall Presentations and PowerPoint are very similar and I will probably use both in my classroom.

Chapter 5 discusses Presentations.  Presentations are related to common core as they allow students to "present information in clear, concise ways to prepare them for the rigors of communicating to a specific audience" (Graham, pg. 72.)  Common Core State Standards state that students must understand the information taught to them.  They can demonstrate understanding by creating a Presentation about what they learned.  Students could do this individually or in a group setting.  Google Presentations can be implemented into our lesson plans and relate to CCSS in many different ways.

Link to my Google Presentation:
Chelsea Presentation

Google Drawing

I've thoroughly enjoyed playing around with Google Drawing.  I can add different shapes and edit them how I want.  I can also add text.  I could see myself using this in my classroom to make posters, flyers, or newsletters.  I could update it from year to year.  I could implement Google Drawing into my teaching lessons as well.  I could have students develop a flyer or poster for a book report.  They could also use this if they ran for class president and create posters to put up.  There are endless ways to use Google Drawing.

I explored the elementary school lesson- Exploring Shapes.  I thought this was a great lesson and way to incorporate Google Drawing into common core.  Students were given freedom to manipulate the shapes they wanted, yet were given instructions as to what was expected of them.  They were able to expand their vocabulary by the words used in Google Drawing.  They are able to draw, name, and recognize the characteristics of different shapes.  This is a great way to incorporate technology into the classroom and meeting common core standards.

Chapter 8 discusses how to use Google Drawing and gives tips to include in Common Core.  Like the exploring shapes lesson plan, chapter 8 gives an example how to explore geometry in math and meet the common core standards.  Students are asked to draw, construct, and describe geometrical figures in seventh grade.  They can use Google Drawing for this to show they can meet the common core standard for this.  Chapter 8 also gives ideas for teachers like creating puzzles for assessing student's knowledge of a standard.  Google Drawing can be implemented in many ways to meet common core standards.

George Simens's blog: elearnspace

I read and commented on George Simen's blog: "Wearables and Learning." (For some reason when I click on comments though, it does not show up.  Not completely for sure why, I've posted my comment three times.) Anyways, I am guilty of a wearable.  I wear a Garmin Vivofit2 and keep up with my stats daily.  I am aware it is not completely accurate. For example, it keeps track of your steps daily.  I have multiple times been sitting on the couch, burping my son and hear it ring that I have met my step goal for the day (remind you by sitting on the couch.) I have learned that the motion of burping my son gives my Garmin the idea I am actively moving and "taking steps." Even though they might not be completely accurate, I do believe we can learn about ourselves using them.  Even more than other devices like cell phones.  It tells me my sleep at night as well as the calories I have burned that day.  I love my Garmin and learning about myself by using it.

Link to George Simen's blog incase you wanted to read what I was commenting about!!

http://www.elearnspace.org/blog/

New blogger

Completely new to this so trying to figure it out!!