Final Reflections:

I have had a great time learning about Google tools.  I knew a little about some of the tools that we learned about this week but now I know a little more about them - especially Google Sites.  I have tried to teach myself about this specific tool but got really frustrated when I couldn't figure something out.  I was able to add audio files to a page - whoohoo!  A personal victory for me.  I also enjoyed the help that other participants in this class gave me in my quest to be able to put together a new site for this year's parents and students.

In addition to learning about Google Sites, I have had a conversation with my Curriculum Director about the possibility of going back to using Google Docs with different committees.  We once used them and now we are using dropbox. 

Finally, I want to thank Dave and Lisa for being so patient with all of us as we tried to learn these new tools.  You both showed a great deal of patience with each of us and never once (at least for me) did we feel like we asked a stupid question.  I liked having work time during the sessions so when I got stuck, someone could help get me unstuck.

Thanks again for a great 6 days!

Google Search

Google Searching is now fun!  I didn't really believe that your could drop a picture in the image search and get an idea where the picture was taken.  If I didn't try it myself, I wouldn't have believed it!  I like having a cheat sheet though.  So much to remember!!!!!

Google Sites

I have been exploring Google Sites again.  The first time I tried creating a site I got really frustrated and just plain GAVE UP.  I don't do that often but I just didn't have the time to figure it out.  My goal for this week was to learn how to use Sites to create a new webpage that I can update regularly.  I feel that I have the knowledge to now create an awesome page.  My problem now is that I want to put too much in it.  I just have to keep myself calm and not try to do too much with it that I will be able to maintain it during the school year.  I am thankful that Dave helped me with inserting an audio file into a site.  I hope to post new audio clips weekly to start with my students taking turns letting parents know what is happening in our classroom.

Google Forms

I have used Google Forms twice before and was really unsure of what I was doing.  It feels better to actually feel like I can create a form and have a better understanding of how to actually use the data.  I created a form to use this fall with the parents of my new students.  I usually give a paper copy of the form so I am interested in seeing how many parents will respond and complete the form.

Does anyone have ideas of how to communicate with parents the use of the Google tools and how important the collaboration is when using the tools?

Google Translate

I have learned about Google Translate. It is a fun tool. I haven't had much use for this in Kindergarten but I have helped my dad communicate with his cousins in Sicily using this tool. How this works is: you type what you want in your native language - mine being English. You can have Google Translate show your words in a variety of languages (41 I think.) I have taught my 83 year old dad how to do this AND cut and paste it into an email or facebook for his Italian cousins.

I can see this being helpful if I am collaborating with schools around the world around a topic. I would be interested in learning how others would use this tool in their classrooms.

(PS - I have written about this in another blog already so I hope you don't mind it duplicated!)

New Experience with Blogging

Welcome to my first blog called All About Google.  I hope to learn about many new google tools and write about what I learned.  I have to say that this is a new experience and I'm not sure I like blogging.  Hopefully, I will have time to really use the blog and look for feedback and suggestions.  Thanks for taking time to visit and post comments.