Using Google Sites as a Teacher

The Link to the website I created is:

https://sites.google.com/site/firstdayofschooltipsandguides/

I have never created a website or been apart of the design process. I was excited to see how to create a website, because I plan on participating heavily on mission website in the mission field (or maybe a blog). I found using Google Sites to be very easy to learn and use. I struggled at first to figure things out at first, but once I figured out that the program works by editing each individual page it was a lot easier. Plus, I used the “Help” tab whenever I had a problem.

Adding subheadings and text was very easy. I was able to change fonts and sizes very easily. The process of inputting information was very easy. I thought that the tabs for layouts were easy to understand, and fitted my needs well. I liked how adding links, pictures, and other things were very easy to find and create. The part I had the most fun with was adding costume features to my website. I first began by just adding things like horizontal lines. Next I began to add footers and side-bar options to my website. Then I moved on to adding different colors and themes to my page. Each time I changed a color or added a special feature my website felt more official. I liked how in just a few short hours I was able to transfer information into a website that looks….sort of official….or at least not bad. To push my website overall the top, I also found a way to download a teacher apple as a favicon. So know a apple shows on website address bar. Overall, I found the process of creating a website on Google Sites to be very easy, and I look forward to finding more of the special features I have yet to know.

Google Forms: In-and-Outs

I used the http://www.atomiclearning.com/highed/en/gdocs_spreadforms link to learn about several ways to use Google spreadsheets and forms. The links began by focusing on the basics of a spreadsheet. I learned a few ways to create a cleaner form, and make it look more official and with less space. I then watched several videos about sending links of my forms to my students and others, as well as understanding the results of tests. The last portion of videos I watched focused on grading tests and doing so automatically through Sheets. I liked these videos, because they seemed to really be applicable to my future teaching. Automatic grading allows for less time focused on grading, and more time focused on my lesson and students. The process if done correctly seemed to eliminate many mistakes and problems. I liked how the videos showed that as my knowledge of Google and forms grow, then I will be able to create new forms faster and with more abilities for my classroom.

I followed the direction on the packet to create a test on Tennessee’s history. I learned how to create a test and link that information to a spreadsheet on Google. While creating the form test I learned how to create a test and multiple choice questions. Within that I learned how to make questions required and add new questions. The spreadsheet then recorded the answers, and compared it to answer guide I created. I then used “if-then-statements” to grade the forms. After grading all the forms automatically, then I found the averages and compared missed questions. I then learned to import the information from that form to another spreadsheet. Within doing that, I learned to text wrap, move columns, import individual answers, and alphabetize students. I liked how with just a few formulas all the quizzes could be graded, then I could import those grades to a separate document. I would like to explore other formulas that might be helpful to creating future forms and spreadsheets. I think I will definitely use my newly found knowledge of forms and spreadsheets, so that I can eliminate wasted time and make my overall job easier/efficient.

My Tennessee History Test:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Wx3A5m872_NVe47tDPqt2gK4vID3zNp7iAQewP1Kfcg/viewform#start=invite

My Trivia Responses:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rR3LkG8YKS2UD2yk7Yc-I9DqJyJU1vJNu5Q7voVOZKI/edit?usp=sharing

My Imported Test Grades:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WG1SQcsA2su4fcFKRE-QEhr3Pmw09H0djYYMM7j62do/edit?usp=sharing

Graham says several things about using Google Forms and relates how they can be used to meet Common Core State Standards. Google forms help students become college and career ready. Forms help students be able to “present information, findings, and supporting evidence” in ways that may not be available in other teaching methods. They also allow for a deeper understanding of material that is often hard for CCSS. Using Google Forms also helps meet standards about using digital media and displays to express information about different topics. Also forms can be part of meeting standards that express the need to conduct research projects to solve problems and synthesizing multiple sources on a subject. Also Anchor Standard 6 calls for using tools wisely by students. In grade 4 students must also learn to quantify information using different charts on webpages to understand information in different ways. Google forms allow student to explore information using collaboration and thinking that relates directly to understanding content.

Exploring Making a Gradebook

I have only barely used any spreadsheet software. I found the beginning of this project to be very difficult, but I slowly figured everything out. I learned the key with finding averages was my break through. I still think there are probably many other ways to format my spreadsheet, but my overall spreadsheet works effectively for now. I liked the ability to color key information, or just anything I desired. I liked how quickly the grade sheet worked after making the first one. I liked how I could just change a few parts and the grade quickly changed as well. The grade book was hard to create at first, but with each new copy the work definitely paid off. I definitely think I could use Google Spreadsheets in my future. I want to learn more about the functions outside of sum and average. I want to learn if there is any templates that are already available for my future classroom. Also another way to bring all my individual averages for my students to one home page. I also think knowing the averages for each part of the grades might be helpful.

Links for five student's grade book:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/12GuA2aNxfntOs5SOtT6A4XZE5AcVI9TyqcG4gTXBwzk/edit?usp=sharing
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jIIOa9brjRa5ED3jcO6ptH3jxxZJBblSrKEZEJZGsgA/edit?usp=sharing
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Its02Pa1QrgTpxY6OKGHdAtRlYNhkn-0FTZhk5d0iQ0/edit?usp=sharing
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Xf9-mx8Dr4oMNHkzVQflYESwMyGoE1LAj-_FhI5ZrZo/edit?usp=sharing
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1DCqhy7mvZBvr97V2-uNLFi-PvI-_zYDPLJUJeKUQwVY/edit?usp=sharing

Graham says that Google Spreadsheets software can be used to meet Common Core Standards about using math tools wisely. It could also be used to meet any standards about exploring statistics or plotting stats. It would also be a great tool to understand averages and scores. Also Google Spreadsheets is a great tool to meet standards about understanding and recording data. Graham also says that Mathematical Practice Standard 5 describes needing to see mathematics visually. They also need to be able to compare and make predictions. Also this program allows student to be able to manipulate and explore mathematics in a unique way.

Using Google for Presentation

Google Presentations is a free app available on IPads. The app is similar to Microsoft PowerPoint in many of its presentation features. Each slide can be designed with different templates, transitions, and qualities. Information can be put into the presentation through typing or inserting pictures (uploaded or found on the internet). Google Presentations has a great home page, with nearly all of the presentation aspects immediately assessable. The phrasing for these aspects are simple and many can be done through different key strokes. Creating the presentation through keystrokes cuts down on time needed for creating presentations. The presentation is created online and can be assessed from anywhere at anytime with internet. Slides can be saved and other people can be invited to participate in designing or viewing the presentation. The finished project can then be saved for private use, available to some people, or made available to anyone.

I created this presentation to discover and show many of the great things about creating presentations on this app:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1qY16teFto8r2abgHXvTs5KX7F8_C6QuxupfIOA6E-GI/edit?usp=sharing

Graham makes several points about how using Google Drive / Presentations meet Common Core State Standards. On page 118 he describes how Google Drive meets math standards about using tools wisely in the classroom. Also Anchor Standard 7 states the need for students to integrate and evaluate information presented in media and different formats. In grade 4 students are asked to quantitate different types of information using charts, graphs, and information from webpages. The group capability of Google Presentations allows for standards about collaborating and working as a team to be met. In addition, presentations allow for great assessment for a variety of standard that test different types of content knowledge.