Virtual Classroom via Google

As IT Consultant, one of the topics I receive the most questions about is how to create a website to post lessons, assignments, homework, and other such communications to students and parents. The one thing I want to stress right off the bat before going any further with this post is that creating a website as an extension of your classroom is easy! Do not be afraid! The other thing that I would like to stress is that it is not overly time consuming. At first, put as much time into it as you can. Over time, you can add more and more elements as your comfort level allows.

What would you like your website to do for you and your students?

Be sure to come up with a plan as to what exactly you would like your site to do. For instance, do you want to post daily updates about what happened in class? Would you like to post homework and assignments? Would you like to include links to downloadable files (such as assignment sheets and rubrics)? Would you like to include video as a reminder or extension of class lessons? Would you like to include mp3 files of the book/story you are currently reading in class? Would you like to link to your or other blogs? Would you like to link a calendar to your site that lays out your entire unit and class events? If you answered yes to any (or all) of the questions above, then I am here to tell you that Google Sites has exactly what you need. I have found Google Sites to be both easy to use, and versatile - a dynamic extension of my classroom and of my teaching style. A class website is the best way to keep students and parents informed and up to date.



How to use Google Sites

Google Sites is *very* easy to use and is completely web-based.
Here is an example of one that I set up for my Media Studies class (EMS3O) - CLICK HERE. I wanted the students (and their parents) to have a place to go to review class materials, check for homework, participate in enrichment activities, and engage in other relevant course topics.

The fact that Google Apps. are fully integrated with each other provides you with a versatile platform to embed calendars, video, audio, blogs, downloads, and the like all in one area.



Follow these step-by-step instructions and by the time you are done, you will have a web-site with which you can extend your classroom into the digital world.

Let me know what you think. Share some ideas here about what you find works and what is valuable to your particular teaching style and class dynamic.

Check out The Google Channel for more Useful Tutorials.

Information Technology and the Supervisory Officer

Welcome to today's session on Information Technology and the Supervisory Officer. Three workshops have been prepared for you, each one featuring a 21st century outlook to education in a Web 2.0 world. Today's generation of student is often referred to as the digital native; they have grown up in a constantly evolving digital society. In turn, the tools of the digital generation provide new perspectives on both teaching and learning. The web-based world is a true collaborative environment where students can express themselves and be heard by vast audiences. Today, we will be looking at: Digital and Visual Literacy through the use of Bitstrips for Schools; Web-based Literacy and Numeracy Programs; and social networking sites such as YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter, which have provided a powerful forum for student expression and voice.


Your Digital Agenda

Digital Literacy: Bitstrips for Schools





Bitstrips for Schools is an educational and safe web based program empowering students to create and collaborate on comic strips. Teachers can create engaging assignments in interactive and collaborative comic strips. Bitstrips for Schools is a great media literacy educational application. Create avatars and comic strips like students and see how this application can be an effective use of technology in the classroom. Learn what to look for in a differentiated instruction classroom using this technology application.

What are Bitstrips?

Bitstrips for Schools is an online comic strip / cartoon / graphic novel creator ideal for reading, writing and media literacy. This tool allows the imagination to run wild with easy-to-use graphic tools at your fingertips! Imagine, create and publish online!

There is an integrated student / class management system that simplifies the sharing of ideas within a classroom.

--Resources/Handouts---

Technological Applications (.pdf file)
Bitstrips for Schools - How to sign up (.pdf file)

Classroom 2.0: Web-based Literacy and Numeracy Programs







This session will introduce a variety of web-based tools and programs to assist teachers and students to acquire literacy and numeracy skills. Reference to differentiating instruction, providing on-going assessment and feedback, and other high-yield classroom strategies will be addressed.

Google Docs in Plain English
Google Docs: A Love Letter (really shows collaborative nature)

Let's Collaborate!


--Resources/Handouts--

Web URLs

Destination Learning - Reading & Math (Login HERE)
Library of Virtual Manipulatives
Gizmos
Blogging (Google Blogger)
Collaborative Documents (Google Docs)
Clips
Knowledge Ontario Research Databases

Blogging in the Classroom

Click Here for the Blogging in Education PowerPoint (Adobe Breeze Presentation)
Blogging Information and Resources (Blog Post)

A Grade 8 Reading Blog Example (Elementary Blog Posts w/ embedded assessments)

Music Copyright Assignment (EMS3O - with student discussion )
Celebrity Worship Assignment (with student discussion)

Engagement of Male Students (Video Blogging [vlog] Example - Grade 11)
Masculinity in Hip Hop from a Female student's perspective (Grade 11)

SMART Boards

A blog on using Electronic Whiteboards in the classroom (Blog Forum)
SMART Boards and Differentiated Instruction (.pdf file)

Social Networking and Student Voice

During this session, participants will be exposed to several of the most popular Social Networking sites including: Youtube, Facebook, and Twitter. This session will involve: hands on experience with these sites, discussion around the potential for learning and possible implications of these sites, examples of how students are gaining a voice through these sites, and a demonstration of how school boards are tapping into their potential. Along with this, participants will also have the opportunity to explore several "gadgets" that are currently being used in education.








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