Google tools for teaching and learning… what’s that?
Google tools for teaching and learning… what’s that?
This was exactly the expression of one of my ESL adult students when I “revealed the secret” in class about Google tools for teaching and learning just before we went to the computer lab. Everything started like usual, I am always looking for ways to maintain my students engaged and motivated to learn even in tough times. This is the reality, many immigrants that come through the refugee programs, lotteries, by crossing the borders, and more are in many ways in need of adjusting their experiences to a new way of living. One big piece of those adjustments is learning the language.
I found that for many individuals learning should be happening in a traditional way; a classroom, a teacher or two, (who they can kill with questions if they need to because they know all the answers) many books, notebooks, and pencils. But we now know that this is old fashion. Teaching has actually changed a lot with all the technology revolution. Classrooms are now full of technological equipment that make teaching so fun, interesting, and alive. Technology brought to our classrooms a wide range of possibilities to make lessons unforgettable making it accessible for all with all needs. So adapting to all this new concept of learning using technology has been hard for many my ESL adult learners, but doable at the end.
Google, in this case, provides many tools that have been very, but very helpful for my teaching in the past few years. It is my intention with this blog to talk about those tools (that many of you know already,) but I would like to focus in ways you can use them to teach and learn. I am not saying that it is totally new or perfect, but it may give you some new ideas that you can adapt to your own style and see what happens. I would also like to use this opportunity to learn from you. Furthermore, all comments, ideas, ways to do the same thing but different are very much welcome.
In my next input, I will be talking about how Google Blogger can change the dynamic in an adult classroom, maintain students motivated, and different activities that could address different identified needs. Again, these ideas are coming from my very own experience and you can always adopt them if you’d like.
Thank you for reading!
Kennia
6 Responses
Hi Kennia, I'm looking forward to learn more about the ways I can utilize google in the classroom. I have used google doc as a student in a group project before and it was great! We didn't needed to meet and were able to accomplish so much more then if we had to work with papers and pencils. I'm looking forward for this blog:)
hi Kennia,
while reading this post, it reminded me the way I was struggling with google docs and sheets with my screen reader!
I believe this blog will provide a great experience.
while posting, try to think on accessibility of these tools.
thanks,
Emmanuel.
http://screenreadersblog.wordpress.com here is the right link to my blog.
the assitivetechnologytanzania.blogsport.com is not active now.
Hello There!
Well I have more postings that you can now enjoy. Please visit them and tell me what do you think.
Hello Emmanuel!
I hope that my week 4 posting can help you with some of the questions about Google Suit. I have never experienced screen readers with any of these apps or in any other way, but I will be more than happy to answer any question if I can. Thank you.
Hi Kennia,
While reading this one thing that popped up to me was your view on teaching kids the "traditional way". For me growing up the best way I was able to retain information was in a small class room flooding the teacher with questions. Now with all the technology advancements I wonder if it would have been easier for me using all the technology. It may have motivated me to learn more if I was having fun. I really enjoyed reading this and I gained a whole new perspective on teaching.