Docs

**__Summary__**

**__Technology Standards Addressed__** 1. Identify, locate, retrieve and differentiate among a variety of electronic sources of information using technology. 2. Evaluate information critically and competently for a specific purpose. 3. Organize, categorize and store information for efficient retrieval. 4. Apply information accurately in order to solve a problem or answer a question.
 * __ Maryland __****__ Teacher Technology Standards __**
 * I. Information Access, Evaluation, Processing and Application **

//A. Use technology effectively and appropriately to interact electronically // 1. Use telecommunications to collaborate with peers, parents, colleagues, administrators and/or experts in the field. //B. Use technology to communicate information in a variety of formats // 1. Select appropriate technologies for a particular communication goal. 2. Use productivity tools to publish information. 3. Use multiple digital sources to communicate information online.
 * II. Communication **

Develop professional practices that support continual learning and professional growth in technology. 3. Continually evaluate and reflect on professional practices and emerging technologies to support student learning. 4. Identify local, state and national standards and use them to improve teaching and learning.
 * VII. Professional Growth **

//**Description of Google Docs (Form): **//

This Google Form was created to gather information for an upcoming classroom celebration. It was sent to all parents and guardians in an attempt to assign items for our annual Valentine's Day Breakfast. It was designed in checklist format. Those surveyed were asked whether or not their child would be bringing Valentine cards to school. They were also asked to choose three possible items they would be willing to bring or to opt out until the next celebration. Finally, they were asked if the preferred this method of communication to paper/pencil sign-ups and the student's name. The final form can be viewed below.

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To view my form on my Google site click here.

January 23, 2010 This was my first time using the Google Docs application to create a form. Originally, I wanted to poll parents and students to see which classroom website I've created they find more user-friendly and informative. Unfortunately, other responsibilities prevented me from doing so in time, so I opted to kill two birds with one stone. It was time to send out our yearly Valentine party sign-up. This year, I chose to do so electronically. I was pretty sure I would get a decent response from parents as it was asking about something that would be enjoyable for their child as a result. It was very simple to insert their emails from my Gmail account. I received a number of responses within the first few days. A few parents had difficulty completing it and sent an email asking for more assistance, but generally, most had no trouble. I also neglected to put a question about the student's name at first, but caught it after the first response came in and quickly edited my form to reflect this. I loved how I was able to add a column to the document after the parents responded to let them know what they would be responsible for. I also liked how I could easily see whether parents felt that this method of communication was preferred to paper/pencil. Sending the sign-up electronically in a Google Form was a sure way to guarantee that the document reached the students' parents in a timely fashion. In addition, I could let them know right away what they were assigned. Plus, parents responding late could see what was already assigned so they wouldn't repeat. This was still a bit of an issue, so next time I'd like to figure out a way to delete items from the list as they are assigned. I suppose this could be done by editing the form. I just didn't want to do so before I posted it to my Wikispace. Overall, this was an efficient and fun way to collect information that I will definitely put to use in the future. My parents seem to agree as you can see by the results below.
 * Reflection: **

[|Valentine's Day Survey Results]

[|Valentine's Day Sign-up/Survey Spreadsheet]

**Description of Google Docs (Presentation):**

This Google Presentation was created to introduce students to the process of descriptive writing. Its purpose was to guide them in writing "dazzling" and effective descriptions, step-by-step. For a number of reasons described in my reflection, I did not post this/embed it to my Google Site. The final presentation can be viewed below.

[|How to Write A Dazzling Description!] (**Please note:** For some reason, the background disappears toward the end of the presentation. It is not like this when I view it myself through Google.)

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 * Embedded Presentation:**

To view this presentation on my Google Site click [|here].

January 23, 2010 This was my first time creating a Google Presentation for my students. At first, the process of designing my presentation was much like that when using Microsoft PowerPoint. I was easily able to design my slides adding bullets and pictures to enhance the detail for each one. The first problem I encountered was in figuring out if and how to add motion. There were particular bullets I did not want appearing before other on individual slides. This is still a mystery needing to be solved. The second problem I encountered was when I went to add several webs I created using Kidspiration software. I wanted to use these webs as examples to model each step and help guide the students in completing their own. Unfortunately, I waited to add these until the very end. At first, it appeared that everything copied onto the page just fine. Then, I noticed that the webs containing text were blank. All of the text moved into the upper left corner of the graphic box. I tried to fix it, but could not solve the problem. In the end, I had to transfer all of my work to PowerPoint and add motion and the Kidspiration webs into that program in order for the presentation to have the full effect I wanted before showing it to the children. Overall, I think that Google Presentations are terrific for presenting simple and informative slideshows, but are less effective if you are looking to create more complex ones integrated with other software. It is also nice to know they can always be accessed and shared through your Google account. In addition, the simplicity of using the program and limited options would be great for a novice user. I look forward to figuring out how to ad motion and using Google Presentations in the future.
 * Reflection:**