Thanks to the lovely Doug Belshaw, whose recent posting on Google Apps for education insprired me to investigate further. I set up a Google Apps network for my Year 10 class with the aim of encouraging peer collaboration and improving the assessment process. The process was simple since I already had my own domain (I used Juicy Geography, though on reflection should have created a new one through Google) I created a list of users in Excel and exported them into Google Apps with little fuss. I also put togther a simple start page from which the students can access their Google Docs. I haven’t yet turned on the email or chat features since my school is contemplating the implications…
I can report some success with an essay homework that I set. Around a third of the class submitted their work via Google Docs meaning that I could edit, improve and comment on their work, and print off a paper copy for their files. The next stage will be to allocate the critical friends advocated by Doug and try out some peer assessment of an exam question. I’d like to try and integrate Google Calendar within my community and will hopefully activate the email option soon. I’m considering starting a new network under a different domain name, that could be easily expanded if other departmental colleagues wish to join.
There’s no question in my mind that Google Apps can be very powerful in supporting a learning community. I’ll report again on developments later in the year.
Awww… thanks for calling me ‘lovely’, Noel!
Google Apps is great. I’m currently working up to what I mentioned in my blog post. So far I’ve got my Year 11s to work with their critical partners collaboratively on a Google Powerpoint for a revision-based activity. Then, they’ve done a source-based interim test.
Next week we’ll be going through exam technique regarding the test. The next step (in a couple of weeks) will be to use Google Docs to write their answers and then mark and suggest improvements for each others’ work with the mark scheme in front of them.
I think this ticks all the boxes for AfL, Vygotsky’s ZPD, etc.
Thanks Doug. I need to consider the issue of scalability if I’m to recommend Google Apps to colleagues. Students won’t want to be members of different communities within the same school, so I’m going to experiment with creating different user groups within my community and see how easy it all is to manage. Haven’t tried the Presentations yet - but thinking of an activity along the lines you suggest.