My first blog post! How ironic that it comes as I reach my goals of becoming a Google Certified Educator. These blog posts will set forth my progress, roadblocks, and overall feelings.
First Things First
One of the first activities I had to complete was of course, setting a goal. A template was presented in which I created a separate Google Doc and was able to fill in leading questions about a goal of mine in the classroom and an area I would like to improve upon. This area is creating a student-centered classroom. Often times I feel that in a math class, I teach a topic, the students take notes, and then they practice. It is a monotonous process where students should take the lead in their learning. Below is the template I completed:
Goal Setting Template
One problem I would like to solve is creating my classroom as a more student-centered classroom versus a teacher-centered classroom.
Adding to my Toolbox
One interesting video was entitled, "Think Beyond the Covers of your Textbook." A quote that stood out was, "So next I’m going to flip these videos outside of class and create some Google Forms to see if my students understood the material. Using Google’s resources allows me to spend more time one-on-one with my students and really make sure they’re learning."
At the end of each lesson is a quick mini-quiz and at the end of each major topic, a larger quiz is given. The interesting aspect of these mini-quizzes and larger quizzes is that the educator in training can retake the quiz until mastery is proven. Reassessments are a huge debate, having pros and cons to them being offered. I have found that having the ability to retake this quizzes, I am able to shift my thinking to more of a Google Educator and deepen my understanding of what it takes to possess this title.
Use this template to help set goals for yourself.
What is one problem you’d like to solve ?
One problem I would like to solve is creating my classroom as a more student-centered classroom versus a teacher-centered classroom.
What tools or approaches could you use?
I can try incorporating videos for students to watch at home that teaches a specific topic and then have the students come into class the next day and solve a problem.
How will you know you are successful?
As the students work, I will walk around the room to see how students are collaborating together and see if they are able to answer the question.
When are you going to try this?
I am going to try this when I start the next unit.
Another prompt you say?
Multiple templates and prompts are embedded throughout each topic. A buzz word we have been hearing in education and throughout my graduate school learning is "Digital Citizenship." Google asks thought provoking questions concerning this pertinent topic. Three prompts were given and I had a choice of responding to one. Below is the prompt I am in the midst of responding to as I develop my "Digital Citizenship" in the classroom:
Option 2: No digital citizenship resources, guidance or program planning at your school:
- After reviewing some of the resources in this lesson, come up with common themes, sections, approaches that you saw. How could these be addressed in your school?
- Who do you need to involve to get digital citizenship addressed better in your school?
- What resources will you need?
Adding to my Toolbox
Google offers many forms of technology, however, one might not be right to meet the particular learning target. There are six "Highly Flexible Tools" as outlined by Google. These six are Google Classroom, Google Docs, Google Forms, Google Slides, YouTube, and Google Search. Each tool was outlined, giving a brief synopsis and an explanation to use what. This tutorial allowed me to see all of the resources available for me to better my classroom.
Embedded YouTube Videos
One interesting video was entitled, "Think Beyond the Covers of your Textbook." A quote that stood out was, "So next I’m going to flip these videos outside of class and create some Google Forms to see if my students understood the material. Using Google’s resources allows me to spend more time one-on-one with my students and really make sure they’re learning."
Part 1... Check!
Let's Recap
An interesting aspect of the lessons is that questions are posed to make the educator in training think critically about how technology has changed the classroom and how it can be used to further enhance this change. Not only is there a space for my response on the questions, but I am able to see the views and perspectives of other educators. This goes to show that I do not have to be attending a workshop to communicate with my colleagues.At the end of each lesson is a quick mini-quiz and at the end of each major topic, a larger quiz is given. The interesting aspect of these mini-quizzes and larger quizzes is that the educator in training can retake the quiz until mastery is proven. Reassessments are a huge debate, having pros and cons to them being offered. I have found that having the ability to retake this quizzes, I am able to shift my thinking to more of a Google Educator and deepen my understanding of what it takes to possess this title.
