Module 3

In Module 3, I leant about Google Docs, a free web-based program that allows you to create and edit documents online, and to collaborate with others on-line in real time. Once again, it is great to find out about these things as I had no idea a program like this existed.

The Atomic Learning website was very helpful and after watching many of the tutorials I had a go at using Google Docs myself. The first document I created was a form. I actually set it up as a sort of revision quiz that students would be able to complete at the end of a unit. I like the way you can easily change the options for the types of questions you want to create, eg text, multiple choice etc. Afer thinking about it a bit more though, I think a better way for me to use the form would be at the end of a unit of work to evaluate how students found the unit and I would also try and include a few questions in French for them to provide a text answer for. As well as an evaluation, this would then also allow me to see if they had understood the work covered in class. At the moment our students complete their evaluations by hand and they often do not seem to put much thought into their responses. Perhaps completing them on-line in this format would make them more fun. Students could also complete them at home.

I also had a go at creating a document which was a draft of the school magazine report for the LOTE faculty. I can see how it would be useful to set up a page on language activities at the start of the year that my colleague and I could add to throughout the semester / year. That way when it comes time to hand in the report we already have commentary on the events that have taken place during the year.

I think Google Docs would also be a great tool for students completing group assignments. Earlier this year my Year 7 RE class had to do a group project on creating a prayer liturgy. Google Docs would have been a great way to allow them to collaborate on their liturgy at home and not rely purely on getting together in school hours. I'm sure that working on-line would also appeal to many students not always interested, or to shy to put forward their ideas in class. By tracking the changes made to the document it also allows me to keep an eye on which students did not pull their weight in the group, a common complaint amongst many students.
So overall, I think Google Docs had many uses for the teacher and students and I look forward to being able to use it with my classes.