The past two weeks our class has been doing some exciting work with Google. Our district has a Google Education account that provides each student with a Google account. Room 109 was selected to be the first classroom in the district to work with these accounts. At this point, we have used the accounts to create and share "Google Docs" within the Google Drive app. The benefit is that the software is free and all work is stored in "the cloud". Using Google Drive, students can share their work with me without email. They simply put me as a partner on the document and I can see their work from my Google Drive account. Students can also collaborate on the same document from multiple devices at the same time! The possibilities are endless.
After break, we will look into using these Google accounts to make students authors on the classroom blog. Instead of typing their blog post and emailing it to me to put in Blogger, students will be able to type their entry right in Blogger and submit the draft for me to review before publishing it. The students will love this!
Another benefit to the Google account is that it gives students access to Khan Academy. Khan Academy is an excellent online tool to help students hone their math skills while I monitor their progress as the coach. We will begin working on this in the new year. Look for more to come.
I am bringing this to you because I am going to give students their Google account username and password prior to break. This will allow them to access their documents from home via Google Drive. This can be done using a desktop computer, tablet, or smartphone. Students are excited about being able to access their files from home without the issue of flash drives or email.
To access Google Drive from a desktop simply go to Google and log in. The menu bar at the top has many options, select Drive. At this point, students can create, revise, and share documents. If you have any Apple devices, use the Google Drive app. I would assume that Droid devices also have a Google Drive app. I will review this with students.
In addition to the how to, we will discuss appropriate use of the Google Account. Please remind your child that this is an educational account that is ultimately monitored and controlled by the district. Students must use it responsibly. The password should not be changed under any circumstances. If a password is changed or the account is used inappropriately, the district will suspend the account.
I am excited that the students have this opportunity. Cloud computing is becoming a popular way to easily create and share information. Students are developing skills that will position them well as they continue to move through school and into the workplace.
