Week #2: Google Calendar & Google Docs

WHAT?

I learned about google calendar, and google docs this week. I learned how to create and use google calendar and google documents. I learned why they can be beneficial while I'm still a student in school and once I become a teacher.

SO WHAT?

Google calenders are a great tool to have because I can create many different calendars. I can have a calender for family events, personal events, birthdays, work, school, teaching, etc. Not only can I have it all organized into these individual calendars, but I can also have them show all on one calendar so that I can see a full outline of everything I need to know and do each month.

Google documents are something that I can see being very beneficial both as a student and as a teacher. As a student I can do group projects through google docs. The group can create the project and then we all can work on it when we get the time. That way we don't have to try to figure out how to make it so a bunch of busy college student's schedules can match up so we can get together to work on the project. As a teacher I will also be able to use it to work together with other teachers if we are planning to team teach a concept. I also can have one for the parents. It will allow me to let them know of up coming events, homework, or things we are learning in the class.

NOW WHAT?

I need to keep practicing doing this with these new tools. Once I am able to "master" them it will make life as a teacher a lot easier. For example, using google docs, will allow me to be able to work on lessons anywhere, at any computer. By doing this i can also send my lesson plans to other teachers and have them critique it and add to it if they have an ideas.

Google Calendar will be a great help when I'm a teacher because I can create a course calendar and send it to all the parents. So not only will the students have a paper copy of their assignments, field trips, etc but their parents will also know. I think this will help me get better parent involvement. It will also allow the parents to know everything we will be doing in class and hopefully but back on e-mails and phone calls from parents that would other wise be wondering.

VIDEO REFLECTION:

I think he made a great point in saying that you are not stuck in a certain situation unless you choose to be. You can always find ways to better your situation or change it completely. I feel this is very important to apply to your teaching. You will have students that come from a variety of different backgrounds. You need to help them realize that if they have a dream and will power, then they can achieve and become anything.