Currently, the tools I consistently utilize in my classroom are all Google applications. I am definitely looking forward to expanding my horizons outside of Google in this class! The most useful tool I use is Google Classroom. This is my second year using Google Classroom, and it has made a big difference in my classroom.
When I first used Google Classroom last year, I used it in its most basic form. I first did it as a way to make it easier for my students to get on other websites we used in class (i.e. Khan Academy, Typing.com, Prodigy, etc.). Once they had their gmail accounts and were linked into my Google Classroom, I could have them join these sites via a class code. I then began using creating assignments on my Google Classroom. An example of an assignment is a Google Sheet designed for gathering information on the California Missions. These are the only components of Google Classroom I used last year. This year, I have learned how to create Google Forms, which has been very valuable. I have used Google Forms to learn how they are understanding a concept, and as a way to check in on their growth mindset. I have used Google Forms for many different subjects, and appreciate the quick, effective way it gives me data as the teacher. It is so helpful to see the graphs generated with the student responses. I assign Google Forms on my Google Classroom. I continue to create assignments for the students to complete and turn in. I learned how to share videos for students to watch as well. A troubleshooting area was the “Comments” section. Students can write comments on assignments that can be seen by the whole class. It is important to have a discussion on respectful commenting, to frequently check these comments, or to turn the commenting off in Settings. I have assigned an Interactive Journal via Google Classrooms. It is something I purchased off of Teachers Pay Teachers, and it is a Google Slide Deck filled with over 70 prompts that have fun graphics on each slide. It is great because I can open up each individual child’s journal and write notes to them, or suggest edits. This has been a new, interactive way I have used Google Classroom on an individual level with students. They also love to share their journals with the class on our Bright Link Board. I have really enjoyed Google Classroom, and I am looking forward to using new tech tools in my classroom this year!
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Digital literacy is extremely important to teach in the classroom. It is necessary to take the time to teach digital literacy explicitly, and it can also be embedded into other subjects.
There are many kid-friendly sources that help teach digital literacy in an engaging, interactive, and relatable way. Since utilizing Google’s, “Be Internet Awesome” in my classroom, one of the first pillars of digital literacy we focused on was being safe on the internet and protecting private information. The kids enjoyed learning about this through an interactive game, and a classroom discussion following the game. I thought the article entitled, “How Data Privacy Lessons in Alternative Reality Games Can Help Kids in Real Life” from Mindshift was very interesting. The idea of using an alternate reality game to teach students the importance online security and privacy practices sounds like a powerful approach to teach digital safety. The article said it helped students not only learn the how, but also the why of why they should be careful about what they post online. Within the article “What is Digital Literacy?” on Common Sense Media there is a helpful list of key digital literacy skills that kids should know for both home and school. This list includes teaching students to search effectively for information online, including teaching them about credibility and citing sources. A way to embed this lesson into already-existing curriculum would be to teach this skills surrounding an existing standard. For example, in fourth grade I can teach students how to look up the Gold Rush online through finding reputable sources, and how to find and cite information correctly when they find information they want to use. Another important skill discussed in the Common Sense Media article was to respect other’s ideas and opinions. This is so important to instill in kids starting at a young age. By relating internet social norms to real world social norms, students will gain a better understanding of the impact they make online with their words. A way to integrate this skill into already existing curriculum would be to do this during the Second Step lessons that are taught in elementary schools. These lessons include subjects like empathy, kindness, and standing up for others. It would be so easy to add in a conversation about how to do this online, as well as in person. Google’s “Be Internet Awesome” was my favorite resource that we explored this week. The gaming component is something I know my students would love. The game I played taught students about phishing schemes, and how to be safe when interacting on the internet. Answering the questions in a gaming format it made it fun and engaging, while also teaching students vital lessons for internet safety. This is something I definitely plan on incorporating in my classroom with my fourth graders. Whether it is Fortnight, or game-based education programs like Prodigy, students love to play games. I know this will be a popular lesson with my kids.
Another component I really liked on Google’s site was the, “Be Internet Awesome Pledge.” I thought this could be cool to have students sign as a “contract.” The district I teach in has parents and students sign an internet agreement at the beginning of the year before the students can have access to digital technology in the classroom. What I liked about this pledge was that the content was very similar to what they sign, but written in a more kid-friendly and relatable tone. I love the idea of beginning my year with teaching about digital citizenship via Google’s “Be Internet Awesome,” and then follow it up with student signing a “contract” based off of the norms. If an infraction occurs later in the year, I can pull out that contract and we can review it together. I could even reassign the “game” based on the infraction they broke. The Video lessons on Common Sense Education for grades 3-5 had a lot of interesting information. The Common Sense Census did a national survey in 2015 about the media habits and preferences of American kids. “Tweens”, ages 8-12, spend an average of six hours per day using media, excluding time spent using media for school or homework! This includes TV, texting, music and social media. This truly shows the importance of teaching digital citizenship in our classrooms. What we are teaching them at school can, and will, benefit them at home. The video talked about embedding digital citizenship into social-emotional lessons. For example, we discuss empathy and kindness often in fourth grade. This can be integrated into digital citizenship by talking about applying those traits to how they portray themselves on the internet. There are free lessons on Common Sense Education for each grade level. There is one called, “A Creator’s Rights and Responsibilities” that I thought would be great to go over for my fourth graders in order to teach them about copyright, what images they can/should use, and how to cite those sources. This site also discusses the importance of having students understands that citizenship means that we are part of a community where we have a role. This includes self, friends and family, and the larger community. Another important point the video series made was that media and technology can support children’s growth when used wisely and thoughtfully. One way to ensure this is to focus on the, “4 Cs”: Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, and Critical Thinking. This is also something our district requires. As I work on incorporating more technology into the classroom, it is important to always keep these “4 Cs “in mind. |
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April 2019
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