Google Apps for Education

My district has started a Google Apps for Education initiative this year, and I'd like to share some of our experiences thus far with you.

In my opinion, Google Apps for Education gives students easy access to "the basics":  Word processing, presentation creation, spread sheets, and even not so basic applications, such as form creation.  When combined with Chromebooks, a district can create a cost effective and efficient way to integrate these applications into the classroom.  While older generations may be reluctant to switch over (students seem to have no problems switching between MS Word and Google Docs), there are ways to frame professional development so that teachers not only see the benefits of these applications, but learn how to use them at the same time.

When creating PD opportunities around GAFE, (Google Apps for Education), I have found that it's important to highlight the pedagogical skills behind utilizing these apps.  For example, instead of simply having a workshop on Google Docs, one could host a workshop entitled, "Student Collaboration Using Google Docs" or "Giving Feedback using Google Docs".  These types of workshops not only instruct teachers on how to use these applications, but also highlight teaching pedagogy and how to apply the applications to the classroom.  When updating the tools we use, it is important to update the pedagogy that goes along with it.  When I provide workshops on Google applications, I always stress their most compelling feature.

Google Apps encourage collaboration.  That is their innate strength, a quality that comes up time and time again across teaching standards.  With these apps, students can work together, in real time, on different devices.  I once had my entire 4th grade class create a Google Slides presentation about technology.  Sure, there was a bit of a learning curve (Who clicked apply all to the background slides?!) but luckily most of these apps come with a built in revision history where one can go and see what changes have taken place, and go back to an earlier version if necessary.

Google Doc Add-Ons

Another advantage of using GAFE is that student work is not only saved automatically, but is accessible from anywhere with an internet connection.  Goodbye flashdrives and emailing documents to oneself.  GAFE also allows independent developers to create add-ons that can enhance its different applications.  Google Sheets (Where Google Form data is collected), has some great add-ons, such as Flubaroo and Super Quiz, that automatically sort and grade data collected in the sheet.

One of my favorite Google Apps is the new Google Classroom.  Using this app, I can send out assignments to students, and the Doc (or any file) they turn in all gets neatly collected in a folder that is synced to my Google Drive.  An ELA teacher, for example, can now take home essays digitally, and grade them with voice comments using the Kaizena add-on.  There are countless ways to use these applications in the classroom, and many teachers are jumping on board.  Let's take a look at some survey data regarding the use of GAFE in and out of the classroom.

What is your current or anticipated role in the school system?

Have you used Google Apps in your personal or professional life?

Have you used Google Apps for Education in a school setting?

If yes to either, how have you used them?

I've used the majority of the Google Apps in my freetime. I use Google Docs the most. I've used Docs and Slides in my classroom.

Gave students assessment and surveys using forms

I have used them to collaboratively develop lesson plans with colleagues, as well as a tool for collecting information through the use of surveys, like the ones we have created for this course.

docs, calendar, forms, all help me stay organized. Our school doesn't have reliable internet and kids don't have access at home so using to enhance learning is unfortunately very difficult.

I have a class website that I made using Google sites. My students create their own Google sites for my class and share the link with me. This is where they contain all of their work in my class which makes grading easy. Students use Google docs on a daily basis. They also use Slides in my class as well.

I used Google Docs a lot with my students for sharing documents, collaborating, and revising documents.

What have you used Google Forms for?

To create a survey	5	83.3%
To create an assessment for students	3	50%
Daily exit tickets	0	0%
For an event sign up	1	16.7%
My students make them to gather data	1	16.7%
Other	1	16.7%

Do you utilize Google Sheet Add-ons to analyze form data?

Yes	3	50%
No	3	50%

If yes, which do you use?

Flubaroo	1	16.7%
Superquiz	0	0%
Google Analytics	1	16.7%
Doctopus	1	16.7%
Goobric	0	0%
autoCrat	0	0%
Other	0	0%

As you can see, educators are jumping on board and coming up with many different ways to utilize these applications in and out of the classroom. From the classic word document, to creating websites, Google Apps for Education allows students of all abilities to create, collaborate, and practice essential skills for their present, and future.

Function over Form

When students enter my school, we are not asking them to power down. We are asking them to focus. We are not asking them to disconnect. We are asking them to connect with content that is there, in front of them, at that moment in time. We very well may use technology to achieve this purpose, but we will also use hands on models, lively discussions, and even books. We are asking our students to be empowered by knowledge, not by media and gossip, for six whole hours a day.

I believe there is a rather huge difference between using collaborative, web 2.0 tools, and Social Media in the classroom.  There is also a difference between schools using social networking to reach out to the community, and embedding it within the school for teaching and learning.  This post will be focusing on social media in regards to teaching and learning, not simply as a means to promote a school.

When I Googled, "The definition of Social Media", I received this answer:

Websites and applications that enable users to create and share content or to participate in social networking.

Within this very broad definition of social media, I believe there exists platforms that are ideal for school use, and those that belong outside of that realm. For example, I do not think Facebook belongs as a platforms that teachers should utilize for sending out of assignments, giving feedback, hosting a digital classroom, etc. Most students use Facebook as a place where they connect with friends, share silly pictures, and do whatever it is that adolescents do. Why would a school want to take away that space and try to turn it into something "educational"? How could a teacher expect a student to check out the class Facebook page, and not get distracted by the pokes and messages of their peers? In one of our past assignments, we've already discovered that while students believe they are great mutitaskers, multitasking is not actually a skill that aids students in any way. So why would we cling to a platform that is already a whirlwind of media chaos, completed with targeted ads and the latest story of how a celebrity lost 15 lbs with some miracle pill?

Luckily, other educators must have thought similarly to myself, because we have platforms such as Edmodo and Google Classroom where teachers can create safe, distraction limiting educational spaces to run digital classrooms. These platforms are far better designed than Facebook ever could be for educational purposes, and it keeps students in a regulated environment where teachers can reinforce good digital citizenship practices. If a student posts an inappropriate photo on Facebook, do teachers really have the authority to tell the student the photo is unacceptable? If using Edmodo, however, the teacher can set guidelines for profile photos and behavior.

I believe the current optimal solution for this Social Networking debate is having schools utilize Google Apps for Education. The Google Accounts given to the students are created by the school, so there is a level of safety when it comes to monitoring student activity. Because the account is owned by the school, the school can put acceptable use guidelines in place and thus teach students how to be good digital citizens. Google apps allow students to collaborate, especially tools like Blogger and YouTube, which are utilized outside of the educational world for many purposes.  Students can use Google Hangouts to connect with students from around the world.  Google even has its own Social Networking site, Google Plus, that schools could turn on for students if they wish to have students practice good netizenship. Google Apps for Education provides the perfect, authentic digital space where students can collaborate, communicate, innovate, investigate, and beyond. I believe teachers should seek out digital tools that have been carefully crafted for educational purposes, rather than try to make a popular platform fit their purposes.

At the end of the day, the platforms created for education will continue to improve themselves based on educator suggestions, because that is their audience. Try asking Facebook if they will provide an area where you can easily post assignments and give feedback for students. That simply is not its intended purpose, and I believe its intended purpose does further student education.  Let us continue to think critically about the tools we choose to utilize in our classrooms, and if those tools have the optimum functionality for furthering teaching and learning in our schools.

Helpful links:
Pros and Cons of Social Media in Education infograph
How to Create Social Media Guidelines for your School