29 January- Google Part 1

This week we learned about the many tools that google offers. It was extremely informative. I knew that google docs existed and had used it a little bit, but this semester I have utilized it more than ever before. I have been able to collaborate much faster with my peers. The really nice part is that you can both work on it at the same time and see what the other person is inputting. Although I'm not sure how I would ever use this in my math class, there were many tools google did offer that would be applicable in my classroom.

I also like exploring google forms. I had never heard of this program before and I can already think of several ways I could use this in my class. I think it would be a great way for students to take quizzes at home when there is less pressure, turn in homework assignments, or just perform basic surveys about how much the students are understanding.

It was also beneficial to look around the google excel and presentations programs. Both of these will be very useful in my classroom. I saw another site that google manages called knol. It is a website where people go on and share things they have learned. I think this could be a great resource for my students to collaborate with students across the world and read about different things they are learning.

The movie I am what I learn was very interesting. I have been in one of your other classes before and most of the time I really like the suggested clips that you post for us to watch. This one however didn't really catch my attention too much. I wasn't sure what the message was that Renee was trying to portray- it just seemed a little choppy. I do however like that she talked about how students aren't what their situation tells them they are. That they can be whoever they'd like to be. "Here in America you can write your own destiny." I hope that when I am a teacher I can help children recognize their potential to be something great. I think if we teach our students this, no matter what subject area we teach, we will impact the future.