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https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1V5jKQzykCWz4WTUUBXHfERgo4prcrnoinirKS9d-l9Y/edit?usp=sharing
This year we are aiming to roll out Google Workplace with staff and senior classes and I’m looking forward to using the workplace tools and Meet to enhance teaching and learning inside and outside the classroom. I love the fact that all these tools are so easily accessible and all in the one area. The supported video links and the opportunity to join the GEG Ireland is excellent while striving to keep up with the pace of the ever changing demands of teaching and learning in our society. Google Classroom offers us the access to a digital classroom, while groups gives us the opportunity for various groups within our school community to remain connected like having their own noticeboard within the group. I find Google Meet excellent for accessing many CPD courses and we aim to use it with our senior classes throughout the year also, to familiarise them with this useful product. Through the pandemic, I felt we used various tools sourcing them separately and linking them into emails to parents etc. It took us awhile to find our feet with the best delivery of teaching. At times the remote teaching felt very disorganised and difficult to keep track of at times.
After familiarising myself with all the Google Workplace tools/products through this course, I feel confident to use it through teaching and learning on a daily basis going forward. These tools will really assist with collaboration, communication and organisation with my jobshare colleague. We have used Google Drive in the past but I feel I haven’t utilised all the excellent features Google Workplace has to offer up until now.
The idea of having a template would be very beneficial especially for those children who struggle to get started at a task.I will look at starting to use this also.
The idea of ‘Formative assessment and self- regulated learning’ provides students with the information and tools they need to manage their own learning. Dylan William’s explains how they both connect, with teacher’s checking learning while it’s happening and students taking charge of their own learning. Formative assessment encourages students to become more independent and motivated learners when done correctly. I love the tools like Google Forms for giving this instant feedback to students.
The Google forms quiz I created was a short literacy quiz assessing a second class group in the area of Vocabulary. (Link above) I felt it was a useful way to ease the children back into learning after the Summer. By keeping it short, I hope it will be more fun than overwhelming starting into the new school year. I am looking forward to using forms this academic year linking digital tools to blend assessment with learning. Also, having our assessment tools and records so easily accessible will really help the collaboration with my jobshare colleague.
I like the idea of using Google Forms to get to know our students in September. As a SET teacher (Job Sharing), I love the idea of my colleague having access to it also and not having a huge paper trail. We currently fill in ‘My Thoughts About School’ but I like how Google Forms would allow us to adapt questions for certain students learning needs and get a better picture of each student.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/17WGD3aPLIHgdbYakuafm23Go8Jkao3TIEGuErUZ2agA/edit?usp=sharing
The 21st Century skill I focussed on was Communication through my workspace task document. This skill supports how children, learn, collaborate and express themselves. ‘Redesigning Education: Meeting the Challenges of the 21st Century’ really highlights the topics that Dr. Deirdre Butler spoke about in our ever changing society. The idea that students must be prepared not just with knowledge but with the ability to access it, interprete it, analyse it and evaluate it in our ever changing environment. It’s important to recognise the skills that society require now and into the future, as the society we are preparing our children for will look very different.
While this task focussed on Communication, many other skills were also involved like collaboration, knowledge construction, self regulation, real world problems and the use of ICT for learning. I feel many students lack confidence to express their ideas and opinions clearly. I aim to continue to support children to develop their confidence in sharing their ideas, working with others and becoming effective communicators who can meet the challenges of the 21st Century.
I totally agree Elaine, I will be working with students around Digital Citizenship also when I return. With their exposure to ICT, it’s vital they know how to stay safe, respectful and ethical online as you have mentioned.
https://classroom.google.com/c/Nzk5MTQ2Njk5MzUy/p/Nzk5MTU5NTM4NTM2/details
Class Code: uz3qpwcw
This was my first opportunity to work with Google Classroom and set an assignment. I love the fact that all the instructions, resources and submissions are all in the one area for both students and teachers. In this Science task, the students were given the opportunity to submit their work by writing, drawing or completing a slideshow. I felt this allowed students to use their creativity and supported different learning styles. By using Google Classroom, I like the opportunities it gives students by encouraging independent learning, engaging in their digital skills and taking responsibility to organise their work in a safe and accessible place.
In terms of assessment, I think the Google Classroom really benefits teachers, students and parents to monitor each student’s progress. I like the options of giving feedback quickly, clear marking and grades, having a learning log for each pupil, ability to differentiate , reflections of tasks and communication with parents.
https://classroom.google.com/c/Nzk5MTQ2Njk5MzUy/a/Nzk5MTU1MDk5Njc5/detail
Class Code: uz3qpwcw
This is the first time I have used Google Classroom and I love the idea of having all the instructions and completed tasks all in one place. This Science Assignment allowed students to choose their method of presentation (written, drawing or slides), it encouraged their creativity and supported different learning styles. I feel using Google Classroom with this age group (4th class) encourages independent learning, opportunity to engage in their digital skills and promotes students to take responsilibity for organising their work in one safe and accessible place.
In terms of assessment, there are huge benefits both for teachers and students in my opinion. The options of being able to provide instant feedback, clear grading, ongoing recording , relections, differentiation and Parental communication allows a thorough approach to assessing each students work.
I totally agree about saving on printing costs. It would really reduce the paper trail that comes with many tasks in the classroom and help students who struggle with organising their work (e.g. students with poor executive functional skills) to have one area to save and allocate their work.
Thank you for sharing your ideas Sean. I also seen the program ‘Be Internet Awesome’ mentioned in another post. I feel it will be very useful with a 4th class group I work with in a SET capacity. Along with the resources from Webwise, this program offers lovely tools to help protect our students online. I look forward to exploring this resource further.
Digital technology can greatly enhance student learning, particularly for pupils with additional needs. In my SET role, I look forward to using the following resource from Google for Education: Create a Mind Map in Google Drawings.
I feel this tool is especially useful for students with low working memory and dyslexia, as it supports visual learning and helps organise their thoughts clearly. I will localise this tool by creating templates linked to curriculum content, using simplified language, visual cues, and step-by-step instructions. Students will use these digital mind maps to revise topics or plan written tasks, helping them better retain and process information.
Applying the School Self Evaluation Guidelines, I will reflect on student outcomes and engagement, using feedback and assessment data to adapt my teaching. At a whole-school level, developing my digital skills supports inclusive practices and promotes a collaborative learning culture. Sharing these strategies will hopefully contribute to staff CPD and improve teaching and learning outcomes across the school.
Describe how you could implement a version of ‘Design your own Dark sky place’ in your school/classroom?
Within groups, I would get the students to research what an area would look like if they designed their own dark sky place in our school or classroom. I would encourage the groups to compile a list of items and design a plan that would assist them in developing this area. Following a survey within the school of the best location, the groups would get the opportunity to add items or suggestions from their original research to develop this area. We have a lovely library space in our school that has sky lights and a telescope already, I think this area would appeal to students in their decision of the best space. I would encourage the groups to educate the whole school through posters, presentations and work with our green schools committee to make students aware of the importance of limiting light pollution and what our beautiful night sky has to offer.
