Google+Communication+and+Collaboration

= in the Classroom = || // **Tuesday, May 21, 2013** //
 * ~ [[image:msmacsdp/google.PNG]] ||~ === ===
 * Professional Development Day **

//** Objectives: **//

 * Learn about several Google tools for communication and collaboration.
 * Generate ideas how the tools can be used in your classroom.
 * Get hands-on experience with some of the tools.

Pre-Session Activity - Please Do!

 * 1) Go to @http://www.google.com/accounts. If you already have an account, go to @https://www.google.com/accounts/Login.
 * 2) Click on "Create an Account".
 * 3) Complete the new account page.
 * 4) Go back to the Google Accounts or google.com page and sign in.

= Google Tools for Collaboration and Communication Across the Curriculum =

Google Docs

 * **What is it?**// *Video:Teachers & Principals Talk About Google Docs //
 * Google Docsis a free online word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation editor that allows you to create, store, share, and collaborate on documents with others.
 * Setting Up Accounts
 * Creating an Account for Google Docs
 * Creating Accounts for Students
 * A word about Google Drive, the new home for Google Docs
 * Use Google Drive to Create a Student Portfolio from an iPad
 * About Google Drive Storage Space


 * ** Why use it? **
 * How Could You Use Google Docs in Your Classroom?
 * Read&Write Extension for Google Docs (Available only for Chrome Browser in Chrome Web Store)
 * Reviewing Documents - Giving Feedback
 * Use Flubaroo to Create a Self-Grading Quiz // *Video:How to Use Flubaroo //
 * Let's See How it Works!


 * **Instructional Ideas:**
 * Teaching the Collaborative Writing Process
 * Create Online Quiz/Test (Sample Student Information Form)
 * More Ideas for Using Forms by Tom Barrett
 * Integrating Google Tools 4 Teachers
 * 50 Little-Known Ways Google Docs Can Help in Education
 * 5 Ways to Use Google Docs in the Classroom

Activity One

 * Team 1
 * Team 2
 * Team 3
 * Team 4

Google Groups

 * **What is it?**
 * Google Groups is a free, online service that helps groups of people easily share information and communicate effectively. Starting in January 2011 Google Groups will focus on mailing lists and forum discussions.
 * Learn More


 * **Why use it?**
 * **Google Teacher Center**
 * **Google for Educators Discussion Group**


 * **Instructional Ideas:**
 * Set up a parent-child book club
 * Create an online study group
 * Hold online discussion to enhance class time

Google Sites

 * **What is it?** // *Video: Introduction to Google Sites //
 * Google Sites is a tool that allows students and teachers to create custom web pages, adding content, attachments, and embedded media from many other services, including Picasa Web Albums, YouTube video and Google Docs.


 * **Why use it?** // *Video: Google Sites Tour //
 * Students can use Google Sites to:
 * Manage a to do list for their assignments and activities.
 * Create a personal portfolio of their work.
 * Collaborate and share ideas with other students for group work and peer tutoring.
 * Teachers can use Google Sites to:
 * Create a class web page, including handouts and tutorial videos.
 * Collaborate with other teachers on department or school-wide projects.
 * Manage a international project that connects teachers and students around the world. Ask students to create pages about subjects they are interested in.


 * **Instructional Ideas:**
 * Example: Mrs. Richau's English Class
 * Example: School Ski Club
 * Politics Civics Literacy
 * Create a public website for posting announcements, a calendar of events, reading and spelling lists, weekly themes, fun stuff and more.
 * Create a private site to share information with parents, like curriculum resources.
 * Even More Ideas
 * //Note: Students must be 13 or older to have a Google Account to add content to Google Sites or to view private sites.//

Google +

 * **What is it?** * // Video: Google + A Quick Look //
 * Google+ makes connecting on the web more like connecting in the real world, providing new ways for students and faculty to find, share and connect online -- both inside and outside the classroom. It's a social network.
 * Using Google+ in Education
 * Google+ Help


 * **Why Use it?** // *Video: What is Google + and Do I Really Need it? //
 * Circles
 * 50 Google+ Circles Teachers Should Know About
 * Pages
 * Communities (*New!): 4 options
 * Integration of Google Apps in one place: search, calendar, photos, events
 * Hangouts
 * Google in Education
 * Edudemic
 * Edutopia
 * Mobile app


 * **Instructional Ideas:**
 * Create a Google+ community for each class where you can post homework assignments, hold discussions, etc.
 * Create Google+ Pages for classes to share homework updates, the latest news on the course topic, or interesting ideas and articles
 * Use Hangouts to hold virtual office hours, or collaborate on a project
 * Use Hangouts to bring in speakers from around the world to your class.
 * Post discussion items and assignments in the Stream
 * Encourage students to comment on content you have shared to foster class engagement on topics of interest.
 * 10 Ways to Use Google+ in the Classroom
 * Google Plus for Educators

Activity Two

 * Click on this link to fill out a form that will generate an invitation for you to join the Google+ SDP Google Training Community.
 * An invitation will be sent to your email account. Please access your email account and click on the link to accept the invitation to join the community.
 * The rest of this activity is posted on the community page.

Additional Resources
Google in Education Google for Educators (wiki page) More Google Products 20 Technology Skills that Every Educator Should Have