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How to set this up

I believe that the best practice for setting up sharing with students in Google Drive is to have them create a folder for you class, and then share that folder with you. This normally takes 10 to 15 minutes at the beginning of the the subject.

Once the folder has been shared, anything that the student creates in that folder, you automatically have access to.

The video below show the steps needed to make this happen.

Google Educator Certification Training (session 2)

Welcome to the second session of the Google Educator Certification training. For those who were not here last week, the plan is for these to be support sessions where we, a a group, work towards becoming Google Educators. The idea is for use to work through the training offered at the Google for Education site.

Initially we are working through the basics videos on six Google tools. Last week, we covered Docs and Drive, Search, and Sites.

This week we will look at:

• Calendar
• Chrome
• Gmail

Don't forget, that as we work through these tools, we're trying to keep a record of ideas for their classroom application using this document, and links to all websites we discus will be kept on the Tuesday Arvo Sessions Diigo group. There is a permanent link to both of these resources in the blog sidebar.

Google Educator Certification Training

This is the first session of the Google Educator Certification training. These sessions are designed so, as a group, we can support each other as we work to become Google Educators. We will be working through the training provided by Google on their Google for Education site.

The first couple of sessions will be used to familiarise ourselves with various Google tools, and to discuss their us in the classroom.

Today we will focus on the Basics Tutorials for:

• Docs and Drive
• Search
• Sites

To keep a record of these discussions, and to assist fellow staff members who could not attend the training, we'll fill out this document.

In addition, any links that we have discussed during these sessions will be available at the Tuesday Arvo Sessions Diigo group.

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Using in Class

These tools help users collate their references whilst writing and researching. When users have finished their work, the tools will generate a bibliography for the end of the document. Both tools allow for different styles of referencing, including APA, and allow for different types of sources.

There is one notable difference. The Word tool requires users to enter the source details.  With the Google Docs tool, the user enters the source and the tool searches the web for the details. At the time of writing, the Google Doc tool has no way to manually enter details, although the developers have promised it soon.

Getting started

Microsoft Word

Word comes with a built in referencing tool, all you have to do is start using it. The video bleow show you how to use the referencing tool in 2013.

Google Docs

To use the referencing tool in Google Docs you first need to install the add-on from EasyBib. The video below show you how to install and use the EasyBib tool.

Lighten the Draft Marking Load

It is around this time every term where you can see teachers disappear under piles of drafts. Over the years I have developed an approach which reduces the amount of time I spend of drafts.

The process aids students in correcting their own grammatical errors. This allows me to focus on the content of the documents. There are many ICT tools which can support this process, and I've included them below.

The Drafting Process

Step 1 - Spell and Grammar and style check

The student must spell and grammar check the document. If I get a document with red or blue lines under the words, I give it straight back to the. Students are also encouraged to use readability tools to check the style of their writing.

Step 2 - Text to Speech Recital

Using a text to speech tool (depends on the type of document), the student must listen to their entire document read back to them. In doing this they will hear what they have actually written, not what they think they have written.

Step 3 - Peer Review

They have to share their document with another student, who reads it and leaves comment. These comments are evidence that their peer has read the document.

Step 4 - Submit for draft check

After completing the three prior steps, the student can now submit their draft for checking.

The ICT Tools

There are many ICT tools which can support this process. Which tools you use will depend upon how the student created the document.

Below is the presentation that I show my students when I explain my draft process. I have slides for both Word and Google Docs. Feel free to copy this presentation and adjust it for your needs.

Sharing Files and Folders using Google Apps

The short video below show how share files and folders using Google Apps.

Introduction to Google Apps

Links

Google Apps Resources

Planning Sheet

Introductory Video Tutorials

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Getting a Google Account

For my colleagues, the College has a Google domain. If you're not sure of your account details, then speak to IT services.

For everyone else, or if you want a private account, Google accounts are free. Just go to Google and in the top right-hand corner is where you will find your Google account details, and / or sign-up.

Google accounts can also be used to access many more Google services and many third-party services.

Using Google Drive in class

I will be posting about the use of Google drive throughout this year, but if you want some ideas now, I would suggest checking out some of the thinks below:

Google Documents for Teachers
40 Ways to Start Using Apps in Schools
Google Tools for Schools: Google Drive and Docs
The Google Educast