Students drive on Google Drive

This month I introduced the students to Google Drive. I let them play around with it and take the driver's seat, so to speak. It was really exciting to see how quick they were to get through the ins and outs of working on an assignment with a partner or group. After just one period I had a couple of boys going home that night and working on a presentation for social studies. Fantastic!

The students have been creating presentations, using both Google Drive and Power Point, on a variety of self selected topics. It is wonderful to see how excited they are to share and learn from each other, not only about the topic but about the technology and resources they used as well. 

On another note, we have been on the   laptops creating some stories using The Mysteries of Harris Burdick and letters using The Dr. K. Fisher books. I am taking one of Kevin Honeycutt's suggestions and looking into publishing a book of our writing. It would be cool to have a double book where you can flip it one way for the letters and the other way for the stories. I wonder if that's a possibility? I will have to check!

After EQAO, of course.  :)

Uploading PDF's: Part 2

Uploading PDF's Part 2: To Google Drive from a computer

The cool factor continues.  Now that I've stumbled upon uploading PDF's from the internet to Google Drive (from an iPad), I must be able to do it with PDF's on my computer.  With a little determination, I was able to conquer my quest.  Unfortunately it was a two step process, and took a little bit longer.  If there is a faster way, I would love to learn.

1. Create a folder in Google Drive to save the PDF 
2. Select the upload button (next to the Create button, there is an arrow pointing up)
3. Select "Files or Folders" 
4. Select the desired PDF from your desktop/computer etc...
5. Click open
6. Select the link (file), when upload complete (a window will pop up bottom, right corner)
7. Select move to folder
8. select the folder you've created
9. selectt move

I created a folder for my GB+ reading assessments (this is the French Immersion equivalent to F&P reading assessments). The PDF's (GB+ reading assessment sheets) came on a disc with the kits, which I uploaded to My Drive using the process above. Then, I followed the steps from my blog  Uploading PDF's in Explain Everything & Google Drive: Part 1.  

Now I have all the assessment sheets for each reading level stored on my Drive.  To assess my students, I can open the PDF in Explain Everything.  To begin I can select record.  I can use the pen to tick off correct words, circle ones that were forgotten, add things etc... and at the same time,  I have a voice recording of how the student actually read the book!!!

Again, when complete, upload the presentation to Google Drive as a video record.  Share with students so they can see and hear how they read.  Share with your resource team, parents and teachers for the following year.

Inquiry Explosion

The month of March has been pretty exciting in our classroom in terms of inquiry. The students are continuing to look into questions they have around our science and social studies topics. They are using the laptops to explore resources such as Britannica School and the Ontario Educational Resource Bank. 

However, and this is the most exciting part, whenever we have independent reading or extra time after an assignment is completed the students are getting together in groups or independently researching topics that interest them. I have a group of boys who, everyday, gather at the back of the classroom with their writer's notebooks and materials on the chosen topic of the day/week. 

I have also just introduced them to Google Drive so that the collaboration can continue on at the presentation/publishing stage. Can't wait to see how this turns out!

Blog you later. 

Inquiries & OERB

As a class we've been exploring the world of structures and have been able to research some of the world's most interesting and famous landmarks using the laptops. The students have been working in partners on a research topic of their choosing.  

Besides using looking at different resources that are available, we have started to evaluate them and use our reading strategies of trying to find the main idea/important information. We have started to use Alpha Boxes to help the students put those ideas into their own words. 

We've also been using the Ontario Educational  Resource Bank (OERB) a lot on our laptops. The activities, especially for math, can be used as introductions, practice, and review. It is also easy to differentiate when using the site. I love it and so do the students. 

Inquiring minds

January was a great month for inquiry in our classroom! The students have really started to get excited about being able to explore their own questions. The laptops have enabled them to do so. 

The students are also loving the fact that they can publish all of their favourite writing assignments so easily and in a variety of ways. I have students using regular Word documents; some using Word Q to help with spelling and clarity; others creating "picture books" using Power Point; and a few exploring making comics using Bitstrips. It's great!

Exploring

   This month we have been exploring different online resources. Jeremy Cadeau came in and helped us start online portfolios and introduced us to some other programs. The students have become addicted to Prodigy Math and are exploring inquiry questions using Kids Infobits and Desire2Learn. 

   Having the laptops in the classroom has been great for differentiation. They have been especially helpful for my IEP students as well as my students who are excelling and need a challenge. 

Sharing Documents with Students in G. D.

So that we could practice putting items into our Google Drive hand in folders (that are shared with me), I wanted to share a document with my students. I created two lists of recipients, one for my Grade 2s and one for my Grade 3s, and I sent the document to both of these lists.  I intended for my students to open the document, answer the question, and hand in the work by moving their document to their "Hand-in to Mr. Creasor" folder.  As students started to open and change the document, we discovered that the changes were being made on all documents, of the same title, open in the classroom.  In hindsight, I realize the ability to simultaneously work on a document is a feature of Google Drive but I am wondering how to get around this feature if I want each student to be able to make changes to the same document?  We tried renaming the document and moving the document.

As I write this, it occurs to me that I should have had my students make a copy of the document, rename it, and then proceed to make changes.  Unfortunately, this possible solution did not occur to me when I was with my class.  Would this be the best route to take?

Thanks for any assistance you might be able to provide.

Scott

Diagnostic

This month I wanted to perform a diagnostic so that I could compare my
results from the beginning of this inquiry to the end. I did this by
providing my students with a quick survey that asked about their research
skills and knowledge of how to use technology to help them answer their
questions, which I will use again at the end of the year. As well, we did
a mini-inquiry into Remembrance Day and Veterans’ Week. Without much
help or advice, the students went on to research one of four questions of
their choice. They were able to use our laptops; however I did not give
them any instruction on which sites or programs to use. I’m excited to
be able to compare the quality of product and the answers of the survey to
yearend results.