Google Docs Reflection

I really like google docs. They're easy to use and I already have a bunch of ideas about how I'll be using them next year with my students and with other teachers.

What I like about Module 3 of this course is the fact that learning to use google docs, and using other google apps in general, has immediately made my life easier. From realizing how our LS Language B team meetings can be more productive just by creating one google doc instead of working on 3 separate excel spreadsheets, to getting quick help from Rada through google chat when I was unsuccessfully trying to change the language on my blog and google docs account from Serbian to English, my week has been made easier. I guess I like the collaborative aspect of it all more than anything else. :)

As I was watching the last video on google apps being used in that school, and having previously uploaded a presentation just to see how it all works, I did realize that the whole thing is not perfect. My presentation didn't quite work how it was supposed to and I found the idea that thanks to google apps we could be available to parents any place any time a bit scary. However, the benefits of it all are much greater and I look forward to putting it all into action next year.

Gmailing reflection

What are the main differneces between Gmail nad any email you've used before?

I've been using Gmail as my personal email for a while now and I like it because it's easy and always available, regardless of where I am. If there is a computer and an internet connection, I can check my mail. In fact, I can't even comment on the differences between Gmail and other emails I've used before, because Gmail is the first and only web based email I've used and listing all the advantages of using web based email is crazy, because they're so obvious.

What I like the most about using Gmail is the chat option and of course Google-talk which I use regularly to talk to my friends and family who don't live in Serbia.

What would you like to be able to do with Gmail?

I don't know what I would like to be able to do with Gail because I'm not sure I know what my options are. I definitely want to work with Google documents and learn how to have my students do writing assignments in Spanish (using a Spanish keyboard with all the accents and letters). I'd like to then be able to read their assignments, suggest corrections, or correct their errors myself, all the while tracking the changes I make, as I now do with Microsoft Word documents.

How could one of the tools in Gmail be used to positively impact student or teacher performance at ISB?

I think all the Gmail tools can be useful. I already made a contact group entitled "LS Language B Team" and would definitely make groups for my students by grade level so that I can send them information pertaining to their assignments quickly and easily (reminders, threats of tattling on them to their parents, etc. :) ). The chat option is great for teachers to use to collaborate and get help/advice quickly when planning lessons, or when in class. Also, my students could use the chat to ask me quick question if they need to. I've been using Gmail calendar in my personal Gmail to remind me to send emails, pay bills, etc., and that could definitely be useful. In general, Gmail tools can help improve teacher-student communication and organization.