Welcome to our parent communication blog where teachers, students, and parents can communicate and learn all about the exciting things we are doing in our classroom. Today's post is all about our recent addition to our classroom. We just received 30 Google Chromebooks! Every student has their very own Google Chromebook to use to integrate technology into our learning. Here is some information about the devices and how the devices will be used in our classroom. If you have any further questions please leave a comment below or feel free to call or email me.
- What is a Google Chromebook?
- A Google Chromebook looks just like a laptop computer and does almost everything a computer can do with limited features. The devices run Chrome OS. Our school recently received a Wi-Fi update and the entire building is wireless. Students can use their Google Chromebooks on our Wi-Fi network. We will not be downloading any software to the devices and there is not a lot of maintenance involved meaning that students will always have access to their devices. We chose to add Google Chromebooks to our classroom because we are piloting Google Apps for Education.
- Please browse Google's Chromebooks Overview for more information.
- How will the Google Chromebooks improve student learning?
- By using our Google Chromebooks we have access to Google Apps for Education. Students will all have a Google account set up through our school domain. Students will each have a Gmail account. They can send and receive emails. Students will be able to communicate and collaborate with their peers and students around the world. Students will be able to use and apply digital tools to research, interact, collaborate, solve problems, publish, and understand technology tools.
- What are some ways we will use our Google Chromebooks and Google Apps for Education?
- We will be using Google Apps for Education to create collaborative documents using Google Documents, collaborative websites using Google Sites, collaborative presentations using Google Presentations, Google Spreadsheets, and different apps. The apps will add higher level thinking, problem solving, practice of different math applications, interactive stories, student blogs, and more. Students will be able to submit their work digitally to their teacher using Google Drive. Students will also store all of their work in their Google Drive. Students will have access to their work from any computer. Students can log in to their Google Apps for Education from any Chrome browser. Students will keep their Google Apps for Education account each year. They will eventually create a digital portfolio.
- How do the Google Chromebooks and Google Apps for Education support our curriculum?
- Students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge of 21st century technology skills. We will be using The National Educational Technology Standards in our classroom and the Common Core State Standards. Our first project will be on our Mythological Character Unit. Students will use their Google Chromebooks to research mythological characters. Students will use the search engine "instaGrok" to begin their research. Students will bookmark valuable websites using Diigo to share with their group members. Students will choose a mythological character to create a website for. Students will create their website on Google Sites collaboratively with their group members. Students will post the URL to their website onto a class Google Document for their classmates and teacher to view.
- How will we assess the use of the Google Chromebooks?
- Our learning will be assessed through the use of rubrics. Students will use rubrics to understand what is expected when creating projects and to assess their published work.
- I will also create surveys for students to collect data on the Google Chromebooks and Google Apps for Education.
- I will also keep updating everyone by posting to this blog on a regular basis.
- What are some of our strategies that will be used to integrate the technology?
- We will all learn from one another. Students and teachers will share their new knowledge with their classroom.
- I will create tutorial videos and a video library on how to use Google Apps for Education. We will use Google's videos as a resource as well.
- Our technology integration teacher will be assisting us in the classroom.
- Our computer teacher will be integrating Google Apps for Education into our computer classes.
- Should you be concerned? Absolutely not.
- Please be sure to read and turn in your child's Internet Use Policy and Google Chromebook Policy.
- We will go over Digital Citizenship (Standard # 5) on a regular basis.
- Students will only be able to email students and teachers in our domain unless we are working on a special project and have parent permission.
- Please read Google's Privacy Notice.
