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Use Slides to create a short interactive digital story and share it with other participants.
Consider how the Workplace tools (Groups, Classroom, etc.) and Meet can enhance teaching and learning inside and outside the classroom. Reflect on this forum as a reply to this post (250 words min) on your own practice over the past number of years and consider the implications for your practice going forward, and the suitability of the Google Workspace tools for a blended approach. -
Having taught pupils with SEN for a number of years the constant frustration was that there was a limited supply of appropriate resources to support learning. Most of the pupils were visual learners with a short concentration span who needed access to various stimuli to support learning. Teachers inevitably made their own resources and with advances in technology attempted to support learning with the use of the internet, Youtube videos etc.. However it was still difficult to meet the needs of individual pupils and their various learning styles. Constant repetition of the same concept was required which meant making new resources but at the same level. In addition older pupils in our school with SEN completed portfolios for certification and there was a requirement to produce some assignments using technology. The pupils did enjoy using technology but it was quite time consuming and a lot of the work had to be completed 1:1 with individual pupils.
This frustration definitely has eased with the use of Google Workspace for Education. Last year I began to use Google Classroom in a limited way and saw the benefits of it instantly. Being able to assign work individually to pupils was an advantage. Group work previously was something that was not enjoyed by all pupils but the use of shared Google Docs and Jamboard has proved to be more popular with pupils and they are definitely more willing to share their final product. The sharing of teacher prepared resources using Google Workspace has also been beneficial for staff as well as the option to reuse these resources.
These young people have been born into a technological world and are surrounded by devices constantly. The role of the teacher now is to know how students learn and to be a “learner” alongside them. I am grateful for such technologies as Google Workspace to support them in their learning and at the same time making them aware of their Digital Citizenship and the need for vigilance online. I look forward to making more use of the various Google Workspace apps in the future.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1kzIA12lpUmn8IK9PWKKy1SIPlCVUwvKRt-Yyw-8CfTw/edit#slide=id.p
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Hi Deirdre,
You have really encapsulated the power of a digital learning platform in your post. I feel that it is essential that every school is using one of these (either Google Workspace or Microsoft 365). There is endless potential for ‘teaching and learning’ and ‘leadership and management’ to develop using these platforms. Every year you realise that you have only scratched the surface in terms of functionality. We are all constantly learning and the technologies are constantly allowing us to go further. From a special school perspective, you may find some of the Chrome extensions listed here (https://www.ahead.ie/Discover-your-AT) useful. This link allows you to select the needs of your pupils, the devices they have access to and the learning platform being used. It will then generate a series of assistive technologies that may be useful in meeting the needs of that child.
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I created a digital story using Google Slides on the topic of Mount Vesuvius.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1WOZgnKohlVC-Wo5g9O22i3gLYM7Dp2sOle3M1tDgZ_4/edit?usp=sharing
I envisage that this digital story would be used as an introductory lesson to the 79AD eruption of Mount Vesuvius and the city of Pompeii. For this lesson, I would have the students working in pairs with iPads to answer the questions in the presentation. As part of the study, I would have the students make their own digital stories on the eruption, create quizzes for each other using Google Forms and also use Google Earth to view the area in the modern day.
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My short interactive digital story using Google Slides is based around the topic of A Person I Admire.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1z1_Vuon1PD-uRQrRBNJlONFvX3lJcGPj_UtGq3w9KW0/edit?usp=sharing
For this topic I would talk to the class about a particular person I admire. In this case a Canadian named Terry Fox who ran across Canada with an amputated leg to help raise funds for cancer research. The slides would demonstrate to the children the standard that is expected of them. I have included a video that they will have to watch. After I will share a quiz with them on Google Classroom in which they have to answer questions based on the video. This will be done through Google Forms. The questions will range from multiple choice and open ended. Their next task will be to research a person they admire. I will share a Google Docs template in which they will have to fill out based on their chosen person. This will then form the basis for their Google Slides presentation.
Prior to using Google Workspace for Education this lesson would have been carried out on a laptop and then the children would have to create a poster. There would be little structure and guidance. However using the various tools available on Google Workspace the lesson has more scope for a blended approach. I can guide and direct the children. They can edit and review appropriately. The children will interact more and have more scope to display facts about their chosen person of admiration. Up until now I have only used the basics of Google Workspace but I look forward to using Drive, Forms, Slides, Meet, etc together to enhance lessons.
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Hi Cal,
Thank you for your post and for sharing your digital story with us. It is clear that you have grasped the most important functionality of using Google Slides. An added benefit of embedding the YouTube video within the slide (as you have done) is that ads will not play on the video. As you have pointed out, the Google Workspace tools allow extra scope in terms of how you frame the lesson. It allows us to go much further and extend the learning more than with the traditional ‘pen and paper’ approach. The integrated nature of the suite allows multiple tools to be used when covering the same topic, ensuring variety and appropriate levels of challenge.
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I created an interactive slide show based on the novel Matilda by Roald Dahl. I loved creating it as it’s my first one. Here it is.
I was aware of those children in 3rd and 4th class who may find reading a novel difficult and wanted to make it more visually and orally attractive to them. I’ve also realised from doing this course, and as discussed in module 3, that in order for us to teach children into the future we must change our teaching methods to equip them to go into a workforce which is very different to our own.
In reflecting on what I have learned from this course, Google Workspace isn’t half as intimidating having completed the modules. Google Docs, Forms and Slides really appeal to me. These app open up an avenue in which a whole school can easily communicate and collaborate with each other. With automatic saving and with each app easily linked to the other, I find it makes learning more versatile and addaptible.
The area of assessment is a huge part of learning, for both teacher and pupils and I see Google Workspace as really being central to that learning.
What really stood out to me in doing this course was discovering the DL planning section in PDST, being able to create e-books, make a school blog, do book reports on Google Forms, reading up on Webwise, finding out about add-ons and seeing how class/individual pupil assessment can be so easily done digitally.
Because pupils have access to their work at home, Google Workspace makes it ideal for blended learning and make it much easier for the teacher to assess their work for either blended learning or as a future tool in which homework can be done.
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https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/15vm6lJLTgAiAlJL_WQp26hbitxakOUpNS34cD2CgJ-A/edit?usp=sharing
<p class=”MsoNormal”>I have created a digital story based on ‘How bees make honey’. Using Google slides is a very good way of allowing the children to work both individually and collectively. Linking a quiz, created in Google Forms, is also a good way for them to revise the topic covered that day for homework. The fact that they are not using the text book and not writing out their answers to the quiz in a copy doesn’t seem like work to them.</p>
<p class=”MsoNormal”>I use mind maps regularly in class. I find them very useful for brain storming topics with the children and for recapping over topics once they are finished. The option to create these in Google Slides will <span style=”mso-spacerun: yes;”> </span>allow me to save these and revert back to them on a regular basis. I have never used Google classroom before but having now completed the course I feel there are lots of new resources I can use in the classroom in September. IT resources in our school are limited at present but have improved greatly over time. There are not enough devices for every child in the room so this can cause problems in terms of individual work and access for every child while not having any child waiting for a device to come free. Hopefully this will improve going forward therefore allowing an increased use of resources like Google Classroom. From a management perspective I can see how Google classroom is beneficial in larger schools with high numbers of staff. For smaller schools it may not be as useful but options like Google Meet and setting up groups with the staff will certainly help.</p> -
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Af_9DctM2-Hl2x6wqwTw9tYUZlOASPobap9Jw7AfwKI/edit?usp=sharing
For my short interactive digital story, I did an animal research project about tigers. My idea is that the students would then have to do their own animal research project on an animal of their choice. I have included a list of criteria that they have to include such as images and videos. This way they are enhancing their digital skills and I can use it to determine whether they know how to perform that particular skill or not. They can also see what is expected from them by looking at my example.
Before, I would have done projects like these on a poster or maybe Powerpoint when the laptops were available. However, using Google Workspace and apps like Google slides provides a much more streamlined approach. These apps are an excellent asset and offer great opportunities for enrichment which wasn’t there in the past. They also help to supplement learning that takes place in the class. Whether that’s history or geography topics that you’re studying or writing stories in English. I look forward to bringing these ideas in my classroom next year.
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I have been a great believer and user of technology and how it can benefit both teachers and students alike. My link to the presentation is here:
The Google Workspace tools are suitable for a blended approach to teaching because they are flexible, easy to use, accessible, collaborative, and participatory. The Google Workspace tools can be used to deliver instruction in a variety of ways, including face-to-face, online, and blended. This flexibility is important for students who learn in different ways and who have different needs.
Google Workspace tools are easy to use for both teachers and students. This makes them ideal for a blended learning environment, where students may be using the tools independently or with limited support from a teacher. The accessibility of the tools makes them ideal for students who are absent from school or who are unable to attend class in person.
Google Workspace tools allow students to collaborate on projects in real time. This is a great way for students to learn from each other and to develop their teamwork skills. For example, students can use Google Docs to work on a group project together, even if they are not in the same physical location. The tools allow students to participate in class discussions and activities even if they are not physically present in the classroom. This is important for students who are shy or who have difficulty speaking up in class.
Overall, Google Workspace tools are a valuable asset for teachers who are looking to implement a blended approach to teaching. They are flexible, easy to use, accessible, collaborative, and participatory. These features make them ideal for meeting the needs of a diverse range of learners in a blended learning environment.
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https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1yN3eJB9Wr7W6vFDEXNItvIsIlj7X_hKVq5PIYU9-FfA/edit?usp=sharing
I’m still getting to grips with slides I must say and so I really only did a more traditional PowerPoint rather than a digital interactive story. I hope to spend more time working on this as the summer progresses.
For me, the tool I have found most useful has been classroom. It is the one I feel most comfortable with and look forward to using. Forms is also very user friendly and is a very nice tool to incorporate into your assessment. But to me classroom has been the best. I hope to be able to incorporate it into my work this year if my principal is agreeable as it is certainly far better than Seesaw and other platforms. Having the ability to set and correct work with far more collaboration with the children and the added bonus of genuine parental involvement has really impressed me. The added bonus of having drive as well will improve the experience of online learning for me and the children.
As Colin mentioned above, the use of google docs is great for collaboration and digital learning. It’s so simple but not something I would have considered using. It is very difficult, it not impossible, to assign genuine group work for homework, or it can often be frustrating when kids are really enjoying a group project or activity for this to be limited to school and the loss of that sense of urgency and purpose and enjoyment of learning. Being able to facilitate genuine online groupwork is very exciting. I’m ashamed to say I hadn’t considered Google Docs for this!!
The most important lesson for me in this course has been the use of the simple in facilitating digital and online learning. There is nothing revelatory about any of the tools but with a clear goal in mind, the simplest of apps or tools can help you achieve it. I suppose I have been too quick to say x can’t be done or y is too difficult to do. But this course has shown that even with minimal resources, there are many tools available to us.
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I have created a slides presentation related to the skeletal system.
I would use this for middle to upper primary classes. I added a video to the final slide and would assess student learning by posting a Google Quiz as well as the slideshow for students in Google Classroom. This I feel would be an engaging way for them to show what they have learned.
I have some experience with Google Slides from teaching in the US, but have not been using them as much recently. This course has reawakened my love for using the Google Workspace in my classroom and beyond. Using the Google Workspace everything is easily accessible, relatively easy to use with practice, and for the most part very child friendly. At the moment access to technology in my school for students is improving, and I plan to implement many of the things that I have learned in this coming school year. I don’t see Meets being as useful in the primary school sector as it was during the Covid period, but it still has many fantastic features and it’s always good to know about it. I love how everything is easy to share, store, access and the platform really makes life so much easier for teachers to collaborate with colleagues, and also for student collaboration. I plan on sharing some of my learning with my colleagues upon my return to school. While I was familiar with the Google Workspace, there have been many new features added which I was not aware of and can implement professionally.
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Forum 5
I am sharing: The Lungs.ICT has always been of interest to me. When I began teaching I was luckily able to learn from my own 5th and 6th class teacher who although was of an older generation, she was very tech savvy and keen to upskill. She was a great influence and support to me. When I began teaching there were no laptops, whiteboard, smart boards etc. I feel like the ICT upgrades back then were slower and easier to keep on top of. In the past 5 years the speed of development has been intense! I feel like once I master a skill/ website/ system then 5 more appear and I am back to the drawing board!
Tools like Groups, classroom, google drive etc are so beneficial to our teaching. They make topics interesting and interactive. They enable us to reach pupils regardless of their location. They enable teachers to share resources and support each other in resource creation, short and long term planning.
During the pandemic I found it very difficult as I was upskilling at the same time as trying to teach the children. The pupils needed help using platforms and programmes but I needed help myself! Since then I have gained confidence in making videos for teaching, embracing a flipped classroom approach and using e-portfolios.
This year I am looking forward to implementing google classroom and hopefully supporting my colleagues to do the same. I will start small and implement ICT in the classroom from the beginning of the year. I will explain it to parents at the September meeting and gain their support as this is also vital. -
<p class=”MsoNormal”><span lang=”EN-IE” style=”mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;”>I have thoroughly enjoyed this course and found it hugely beneficial. I felt that I wasn’t completely computer illiterate, but I have learnt a lot of handy, quick, and easy to use tricks which will hugely benefit my teaching and the students learning. As I have mentioned before I teach in a Gaelscoil, and I find it very hard to get topic specific resources at times especially perhaps in the correct dialect. These Google tools will make it much faster and simpler to create interactive and learner friendly resources. I especially love how it all saves automatically and can be shared easily with other colleagues. I have been using PowerPoint, Active Inspire and Word mostly over the last number of years however I feel after doing this course that the Google apps will be much more beneficial for future practice. The main aspect for me is how accessible it is if you are not working from your own computer, or you are working remotely everything it still organised and readily available to edit. </span></p>
<p class=”MsoNormal”><span lang=”EN-IE” style=”mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;”>I work in an expanding primary school and even though I am not an administrative member of the staff I feel that apps like Google Meets would be extremely useful to us. Even to simple create calender events to remind staff of things like Science or Maths week or guest speakers coming to the school. The collaboration benefits I feel will be extremely efficient in terms of even sharing a self-assessment feedback form from a child to a learning support teacher, or the class teacher and the learning support teacher to create or adapt a plan together. </span></p>
<p class=”MsoNormal”><span lang=”EN-IE” style=”mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;”>I found that I was making use of ICT regularly with games, slides etc within my classroom however I was slow to move to other programmes as our school was bit by bit installing new interactive screens. Now that we have come to that stage that the school has developed and expanded having everything in one space like Google workspace will make moving to a room or a new class level a lot more streamline and efficient instead of having particular items on desktops or external drives. </span></p>
<p class=”MsoNormal”><span lang=”EN-IE” style=”mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;”>I have created a simple interactive slide based on the topic of An Aimsir suitable for junior classes. These slides are great as links to games or class book work can be added to extend the learning and the lesson. </span></p>
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/11nvYUCuvLAByyYzOhfqkVupdadRzFRWUYymQD3phcFA/edit?usp=sharing -
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1IQGphmsmjQ0eOPNMcRBnRUc98v608EA3YpLJGGFd5Q0/edit?usp=sharing
I think the Google Workspace tools are suitable for a blended approach to teaching because they are incredibly easy to use, very accessible and allow for collaborative work between teachers and between teachers and students. After completing this course I can see how the Google Workspace tools can be used to deliver instruction in a variety of ways, including face-to-face, online, and blended. This illustrates how flexible the Google Workspace tools are. This is important for students who learn in different ways and who have different needs.
I think Covid would have been a very different experience if teachers and students had had more experience with Google Workspace tools etc. For example, students using Google Docs to work on a group project together, even if they are not in the same physical location. The tools allow students to participate in class discussions and activities even if they are not physically present in the classroom. This would have been invaluable during covid.
As stated on previous forums one aspect I particularly like is the ability to discretely differentiate. As children get older they become more aware if they are unable to complete work and this is disheartening. These tools can help to mitigate some of that.
Having been on career break for the past five years there have been enormous technological changes in the classroom. I’ve enjoyed doing this course especially the practical elements like the above Slides presentation. I found this really easy to use. I am looking forward to experimenting more with the different tools and putting them to use in the classroom.
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https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1uaq2P-D6YYz42IbGkvXk6zlszR7vE9xFalVYwd1xkP4/edit#slide=id.p1
In this lesson, I look at the issue of Climate Change through poetry. I taught this lesson, so I have had real face time with the children on this topic. I find that Google Slides is a very easy way to create a presentation on a topic that can engage children. In the lesson, the children read poems, wrote their own and learned about climate change. Looking at my slides, I would make them more interactive by having a video and doing a Google Forms quiz at the end.
Google groups could help teachers practice tips and reminders about following up on planning, preparation and forms. It would be handy way to ask about a topic if you were unsure of. Long-term and short terms plans can be shared with other teachers via the groups instead of sending the documents to other teachers individually. Also, using Google Docs means that a teacher does not have to download and save the documents but instead edit them for their own use online, and it would be automatically saved. Teachers should create their own copy so that they are not editing another teacher’s plans.
Meets could be a good way to meet up if schools do not want to do face-to-face meetings as a staff meetings. Also, Google Meets would be a handy way to meet parents where those parents may be at work. It can be a challenge to meet parents face to face, so parent-teacher meetings could be done online via Google Meets. Teachers may need to meet parents one on one for important meetings where discipline is an issue or where that child has special needs.
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A newcomer to Google slides so this was virgin territory for me. Children with dyslexia can become overwhelmed with wordy texts so I added in a visual for each slide. The reason I picked the pangolin was because I’d never heard of this creature up to 2 years ago. They’re really cute to look at and I think children would find them intriguing.
It would be a good introduction for the children as well to create their own simple slide of their favourite animal / pet/ game/ place/ food.
Google slides would be really useful as well for social stories / visual timetables so that children who experience difficulty with written timetables could easily understand what’s going to happen during the day.
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I have created a simple resource on An Aimsir. I would get children in 5th and 6th to create such a resource for junior classes. Two benefits! They are improving their Gaeilge and also engaging in digital teaching and learning. You are also developing their collaboration and creative skills.
We have been introduced to many Google Workplace tools during the course. Slides, Forms and Docs would be my favourites and the tools that I would see that can be easily integrated into teaching and learning.
I have used docs regularly to collaborate with colleagues on a wide range of issues – e.g. ideas for Sports Day; activities for Wellbeing Week; School Self-Evaluation process; I like the suggestion from the course about using it in a situation where someone is visiting e.g. technician.
I think that the Quiz version of Forms is a fantastic tool and I have used it in two ways – (1) creating a quiz for the class (2) the children creating their own quizzes and sharing them with each other. We are fortunate to have a suite of chromebooks in the school (and excellent broadband!) which makes it possible for pupils to work individually or in pairs. They really enjoy coming up with questions to challenge each other. It’s a great exercise to pull together the important parts of a topic covered.
I have used slides to present to colleagues and to classes. While it mighn’t have the ‘bells and whistles’ of PowerPoint, the fact that it updates automatically and can be accessed from any device is a big plus. The ‘sharing’ options are also a great feature – copying and pasting a link rather than having to download.
Pupils find Slides great for project work. The fact that you have a direct link to images and videos enhances their work. The final part of having the opportunity to present their work to the rest of the class via the Clevertouch board is very important. The more opportunities children get to present, the better. Another great feature is that children can continue with their work at home.
I’m not overly familiar with Google Meet. During Covid, our preferred application was Zoom. However, this module has shown how easy and secure it is to use.
In conclusion, one of the key messages I will take from the course is the possibility of greater collaboration with colleagues through the use of Google tools.
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i created the resource Eádaí
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ddouuU1YUysWbBwG7w47_ln69gwvBeJuFrJwD94cnkk/edit?usp=sharing
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After completing this course on Google workplace tools I can see that they can most definitely enhance teaching and learning both inside and outside the classroom. These tools allow teachers to create, give and correct assignments efficiently. I like the way that announcements and class discussions can be managed all together in one platform. It is also invaluable in that google classroom integrates with other google workspace tools like docs, sheets, slides google drive. I am not very technically minded as you can see from my presentations but this course has given me the drive to try and use this in my teaching from September. I really liked the create your own logo and especially the slides to make your own presentations. I really like the fact that you can create and record assessments and use this for planning and collaboration with other staff members. Google meet is a really effective communication tool also. The student portfolios are excellent in that they can create digital portfolios to showcase their work. These tools are also effective in their use outside the classroom also such as the google calendar for scheduling reminders and assignments. The Google chat allows for communication between teachers and students and it allows for group discussions. I loved the idea of google jamboard where the students and teachers can brainstorm and collaborate on an interactive whiteboard and also the remote collaboration for remote learning. Going forward I will try and use these tools to make my lessons more engaging and inviting for the children in my classroom.
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https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vQ6RtzsWe0D8DmP9M4nsa2b0usl76Rp6BAlZnmdfXYnl4hzE_IYJMhgHUJz08_r2ef1PL9kUOafoSRv/pub?start=true&loop=true&delayms=3000
This was my first attempt at using Google Slides. I made an eight page slideshow which we can use as an introductory lesson for our Languages connect Spanish programme. This will also link in with the Google form/quiz I made in the earlier module.Reflecting on Google Workspace Tools for Blended Learning
Over the last few years, using tech in education has completely changed how we teach and learn. One set of tools that has really made a difference for me is Google Workspace, especially Google Slides, Groups, Classroom, and Meet. These will be game-changers in making learning more interactive, collaborative, and flexible.Making Teaching and Learning Better with Google Workspace
1. Google Slides for Cool Digital Stories: (although the min maps were very laborious.
Google Slides is fabulous for creating interactive digital stories. You can throw in pictures, videos, and links to make the story come alive. Sharing these stories with students makes lessons way more engaging. Plus, students can jump in and collaborate, adding comments, suggestions, or even their own slides., which i need to explore more.This really sparks their creativity and makes them feel part of the process.2. Google Classroom for Keeping Things Organized:
Google Classroom will totally changed how I manage my interactions with staff. It’s like a one-stop-shop for posting assignments, announcements, and resources. Students and teachers can easily find what they need, submit their work, and get feedback. For teachers, grading and tracking progress is so much simpler. Everything is stored in Google Drive, so it’s all secure and accessible from anywhere, which is perfect for blending in-person and online learning.3. Google Meet for Staying Connected:
Google Meet could begreat for live lessons and discussions. With features like screen sharing, breakout rooms, and recording, it’s very versatile. Even when students can’t be there in person, Meet makes sure learning continues and it may help group project work.4. Google Groups for Working Together:
Google Groups is perfect for collaborative learning. It lets us set up discussion forums for group projects, peer reviews, and class discussions. This builds a sense of community and lets students learn from each other. Since these discussions can happen anytime, it’s great for students who need more time to think things through.Moving forward, I see Google Workspace tools being key to blended learning. They support a mix of face-to-face and online interactions, fitting different learning styles and needs. The collaborative features encourage active learning and critical thinking. For example, using Google Slides for projects helps students develop digital skills and creativity. Google Classroom and Meet ensure that learning continues smoothly, even if we can’t be in the classroom
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Using Google Slides to create digital stories is a brilliant idea. Adding multimedia elements makes the lessons much more engaging for students. The fact that students can collaborate on these slides adds a whole new level of interaction. If you found mind maps hard to use, perhaps integrating simpler, more intuitive graphic organisers might help streamline the process.
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https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vQ6RtzsWe0D8DmP9M4nsa2b0usl76Rp6BAlZnmdfXYnl4hzE_IYJMhgHUJz08_r2ef1PL9kUOafoSRv/pub?start=true&loop=true&delayms=3000
This was my first attempt at using Google Slides. I made an eight page slideshow which we can use as an introductory lesson for our Languages connect Spanish programme. This will also link with the Google form/quiz I made in the earlier module.Over the last few years, using tech in education has completely changed how we teach and learn. One set of tools that has really made a difference for me is Google Workspace, especially Google Slides, Groups, Classroom, and Meet. These will be game-changers in making learning more interactive, collaborative, and flexible.1. Google Slides is great for Cool Digital Stories: (even though I found the min-mapping very laborious!)
Google Slides is fabulous for creating interactive digital stories. You can throw in pictures, videos, and links to make the story come alive. Sharing these stories with students makes lessons way more engaging. Students can also jump in and collaborate, adding comments, suggestions, or even their own slides, which is something I need to explore further. This really sparks their creativity and makes them feel part of the process.2. Google Classroom for Keeping Things Organized:
Google Classroom will totally changed how I manage my interactions with staff. It’s like a one-stop-shop for posting assignments, announcements, and resources. Students and teachers can easily find what they need, submit their work, and get feedback. For teachers, grading and tracking progress is so much simpler. Everything is stored in Google Drive, so it’s all secure and accessible from anywhere, which is perfect for blending in-person and online learning.3. Google Meet for Staying Connected:
Google Meet could be great for live lessons and discussions. With features like screen sharing, breakout rooms, and recording, it’s very versatile. Even when students can’t be there in person, Meet makes sure learning continues and it may help group project work. We’ve used Zoom previously so it’s interesting to see the alternatives available.4. Google Groups for Working Together:
Google Groups is perfect for collaborative learning. It lets us set up discussion forums for group projects, peer reviews, and class discussions. This builds a sense of community and lets students learn from each other. Since these discussions can happen anytime, it’s great for students who need more time to think things through.Moving forward, I see Google Workspace tools being key to blended learning or for more interactive engaging classroom lessons. They support a mix of face-to-face and online interactions, fitting different learning styles and needs. The collaborative features encourage active learning and critical thinking. For example, using Google Slides for projects helps students develop digital skills and creativity. Google Classroom and Meet ensure that learning continues smoothly, even if we can’t be in the classroom.
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This was my first attempt at using Google Slides. I made an eight page slideshow which we can use as an introductory lesson for our Languages connect Spanish programme. This will also link in with the Google form/quiz I made in the earlier module. Google Workspace Tools for Blended Learning
Over the last few years, using tech in education has completely changed how we teach and learn. One set of tools that has really made a difference for me is Google Workspace, especially Google Slides, Groups, Classroom, and Meet. These will be game-changers in making learning more interactive, collaborative, and flexible.1. Google Slides for Cool Digital Stories: (although the mind mapping was very laborious!)
Google Slides is fabulous for creating interactive digital stories. You can throw in pictures, videos, and links to make the story come alive. Sharing these stories with students makes lessons way more engaging. Plus, students can jump in and collaborate, adding comments, suggestions, or even their own slides, which I need to discover more about.This really sparks their creativity and makes them feel part of the process.2. Google Classroom for Keeping Things Organized:
Google Classroom will totally changed how I manage my interactions with staff. It’s like a one-stop-shop for posting assignments, announcements, and resources. Students and teachers can easily find what they need, submit their work, and get feedback. For teachers, grading and tracking progress is so much simpler. Everything is stored in Google Drive, so it’s all secure and accessible from anywhere, which is perfect for blending in-person and online learning.3. Google Meet for Staying Connected:
Google Meet could begreat for live lessons and discussions. With features like screen sharing, breakout rooms, and recording, it’s very versatile. Even when students can’t be there in person, Meet makes sure learning continues and it may help group project work.4. Google Groups for Working Together:
Google Groups is perfect for collaborative learning. It lets us set up discussion forums for group projects, peer reviews, and class discussions. This builds a sense of community and lets students learn from each other. Since these discussions can happen anytime, it’s great for students who need more time to think things through.Looking Ahead
Moving forward, I see Google Workspace tools being key to blended learning. They support a mix of face-to-face and online interactions, fitting different learning styles and needs. The collaborative features encourage active learning and critical thinking. For example, using Google Slides for projects helps students develop digital skills and creativity. Google Classroom and Meet ensure that learning continues smoothly, even if we can’t be in the classroom -
The Google workspace tools which I have been learning about are a gamechanger. I did Microsoft course many many moons ago and so I never really gave Google a chance as I am quite competent at the aforementioned.
Our new principal is keen to introduce Google Classroom from September and I felt that this course would benefit me as I have a basic understanding of many of the tools and felt a Google Classroom course would be too limiting.
I am blown away by the support offered by Google and the way in which I can link so many apps to google classroom will be a great step forward for my class.
I feel that the students before me are great at swiping but often lack basic operations on ipads/chromebooks.
I intend to build a programme teaching the students various aspects on docs, slides and forms this year. I may use a flipped classroom approach so that it will also provide information for parents who may wish to upskill.
The fact that the programmes are cloudbased is a dream. Gone are the days of losing files, not saving things accurately to memory sticks, this is going to make life a lot easier in the classroom.
I do think some of the work will be tedious at first e.g. setting up all the forms for testing. If we collaborate as a staff, perhaps we will be able to share and edit tests to speed things up over time.
The resource that I worked on examines the holocaust, it has animated slides, photographs and key information.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1e-P5WaOIeM4io_vdtwP_PTsD1FjjffqJFugUO91Iz6M/edit?usp=sharing
I travel to Poland annually and 5th/6th took a particular interest in WW2, the girls were very keen to learn more about Auschwitz whereas the boys tend to take a shine to the actual battles. I focused on the social/historical aspect of WW2 here rather than individual war. I will visit Dachau in outside Munich in the near future and so expect to add to this.-
Hi Maire,
Thanks for your post and for your engagement throughout the course. There are many similarities between the Google and Microsoft education offerings, and both have areas they are really strong in. You are correct to highlight the lack of basic skills students may have, despite the fact they may be spending lots of time on devices. Chromebooks are an excellent classroom tool, and offer serious ‘bang for book’. Once you are up and running with the use of Google Classroom, I am confident that you won’t look back and hopefully you’ll be able to apply some of the ideas from throughout the course.
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The Google workspace tools which I have been learning about are a gamechanger. I did Microsoft course many many moons ago and so I never really gave Google a chance as I am quite competent at the aforementioned.
Our new principal is keen to introduce Google Classroom from September and I felt that this course would benefit me as I have a basic understanding of many of the tools and felt a Google Classroom course would be too limiting.
I am blown away by the support offered by Google and the way in which I can link so many apps to google classroom will be a great step forward for my class.
I feel that the students before me are great at swiping but often lack basic operations on ipads/chromebooks.
I intend to build a programme teaching the students various aspects on docs, slides and forms this year. I may use a flipped classroom approach so that it will also provide information for parents who may wish to upskill.
The fact that the programmes are cloudbased is a dream. Gone are the days of losing files, not saving things accurately to memory sticks, this is going to make life a lot easier in the classroom.
I do think some of the work will be tedious at first e.g. setting up all the forms for testing. If we collaborate as a staff, perhaps we will be able to share and edit tests to speed things up over time.
The resource that I worked on examines the holocaust, it has animated slides, photographs and key information.https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1e-P5WaOIeM4io_vdtwP_PTsD1FjjffqJFugUO91Iz6M/edit?usp=sharing
I travel to Poland annually and 5th/6th took a particular interest in WW2, the girls were very keen to learn more about Auschwitz whereas the boys tend to take a shine to the actual battles. I focused on the social/historical aspect of WW2 here rather than individual war. I will visit Dachau in outside Munich in the near future and so expect to add to this.
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In my opinion, it is without question that Google Workspace tools provide a comprehensive platform for enhancing teaching and learning both inside and outside the classroom, making it highly suitable for a blended approach to education.
I can honestly say that I have learned a great deal throughout the duration of this course and I look forward to implementing a variety of ideas this upcoming year.
Introducing Google Classroom is what I aim to target first. The ease at which students can access materials and submit assignments is a gamechanger. This extends beyond the physical classroom and for me, I envisage it being used as a replacement for traditional homework methods. For example, homework could be given as a Google Form or a link to an activity from a website such as Wordwall could be shared for children to complete at home.
I was not familiar with Google Forms before completing this course but after becoming familiar with it, I can really see how it will enhance my teaching. Google Forms makes the process of creating and administering quizzes and surveys easy. Additionally, the automatic grading and data analysis features save time and provide insights into student performance.
Finally, while I have used Google Slides in the past, I was unaware of its many features until completing module 5. Previously, I would really only consider using Google Slides to make slideshows for SESE. These slideshows would only include text and images. Now, I feel I am better equipped to use this tool across all subjects along with its many features such as including video and audio clips.
In conclusion, as a teacher, integrating Google Workspace tools can lead to more flexible and engaging learning experiences for children.
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https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1o7dCG5FRQGHQI8770ltemnhc2EmjhIH7v2FJbm02T24/edit?usp=sharing
Having created the above using Slides, I can definitely see myself using this to create resources for my class. Having used powerpoint for many years, this will no doubt be a learning curve. However, the videos linked in this module are very helpful.
Slides will also be very helpful for student presentations.
I would be less sure of the educational value of Meet in this post-Covid world of ours.
Groups could definitely have benefits for staff members in terms of sharing resources and easing communication.
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https://classroom.google.com/c/NzA0MDgyNzU0MDYy?cjc=5hrlfrm
I have an autistic student in my classroom who is hyperlexic. His reading is far superior to anybody else of his age group in both English and Irish. He seemed to absorb phonics and almost seemed to understand them intuitively. If fact coming from a mainly English Speaking background he read his way into Gaeilge and has a fantastic grasp of the language for a child in Rang 1 in the Gaeltacht. In addition, his pronunciation is fantastic and we feel he has absorbed the local canúint. His mother has good Irish and is using it more often with him as she recognises his ability with the language. His comprehension is very good. However, he needs clear and precise instructions on how to complete tasks so that he can demonstrate his understanding. I have put the scéal Ar strae Beagán’ on a slide. I have often used powerpoint and I felt that I was able to use google slides quite well. However, I did not manage to upload audio even though I recorded and saved audio files to my google drive. I did consult some videos but was not able to complete the task in time for today. I will have to do further research on this. I would also like for my student to be able to add recordings to the Google Slides presentation.
I think how the Workplace tools (Groups, Classroom, etc.) and Meet can enhance teaching and learning inside and outside the classroom especially in a Gaeltacht setting. We do not have all the information we would like in Irish available to us. Being able to collaborate with each other within and beyond the school is vital. Being able to collaborate with Irish Speakers from other regions, or to engage with an expert who has Irish is a vital tool. We will be able to record and add to the knowledge that is available through Irish.
The Pandemic showed us the way forward in 2020 – 2021. The more imagitive and proactive we were in engaging with our pupils the more they engaged. We have continued this in our school for the benefit of many subjects. I frequently record and share tunes and songs with the children in our school. I started this practice on Seesaw and we are now doing it through email with a view to sharing these files through google classroom.
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https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1GKS2dk5AwXHE9YEedh6nfvzG9LpYidMxNIQd40dmWc0/edit?usp=sharing
The above digital story could be used and edited n a whole/class basis to teach introductions to stories, using adjectives to make a story more interesting etc. It could be a great way to invite students to continue the story and learn to build narratives together, also in small groups.
It is undeniable that Google workspace for education contains a suite of tools and apps that greatly support and enhance teaching and learning, as well as collaboration between staff and with the wider community.
I have used Google Drive, Google Slides and Google Docs in a limited way over the past few years and I find them fanastic for content creation and also accesible storage of documents. I would love to use Google Classroom and try it out as a tool for communicating with home also, for storing and sharing resources, assignments, links etc with the guardians and students at home. It offers opportunity for flipped learning and making correcting and assessing much easier for the teacher, as well as collating work in a portfolio for each child.
I would love to see my school take on the Google Workspace for Education so we could learn as a staff to maximise on the potential of these products. I would like to experience Google Meet and tools like Jamboard as collaborative planning and commuication tools. I imagine with use and further training we could tap into a much more streamlined and easy use of digtial technology as a staff, as well as in the classroom with the students.
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