New Blog!!!

I have many blogs - some of which I use and others of which seem to have become dinasours and hence I rarely use now.

Now that google has pretty much taken over so many applications - I am really starting to rethink how I teach my classes and disseminate information to my students.

I have just started my Level 2 Geography students on a new technology wave - well new for me anyway!

My students have all created a google account, and now have access to gmail, google docs, calendar etc. For the last three days we have used google docs in class, where groups of students are editing one document, either by brainstorming or by answering questions. The students are really enjoying it. They said that it was much better than JUST blogging - which was getting a bit old hat for them - and they really liked the fact that they could be signed into one account, but use several different applications without having to sign in each time.

They really like the fact that google docs enabled them to edit ONE document - so far we have had 9 groups editing one document. I also think that more people became engaged in the "class conversation" because of the silent nature of the converstation. Students were able to contribute ideas without feeling like they were under pressure of getting answers wrong.

Tonight I have created a document for tomorrow's lesson, where the groups will type into tables - where one side is for them and the other side is for me to give feedback. I think the best thing about this whole new way of teaching is that I can give instant feedback globally and individually all at the same time.

Thanks GOOGLE! you guys rock!!!!!!