Module 3

Google Documents. I love it! As I mentioned in my last Blog I never did realise how confusing sending documents for editing through email could be. If 3 people were working on the same project, then how could you streamline the document so that you have all of the different changes merged into one?

When I was introduced to Google Docs I had to think about how I could use it. Once again my thoughts went to teaching in a Kinder Classroom and how they are still learning basic operations like logging on and off, how to get into different programs and how to use the mouse. Through professional dialogue with another teacher, we discussed the use of creating a program/document for the students to access through Google Docs and they could use it that way. The problem there is that they would just be using the program or application, not using it to create or modify one.

It was then that my thoughts turned to the Talent Quest. Last year myself and another colleague organised a Talent Quest with the SRC. As part of the process, the SRC made up sign on sheets for people wishing to audition. Not only did we have over 40 people sign up, but the complete Sign On sheet was a mess - students crossing out other people's names, names scribbled onto the piece of paper. We both had a hard time trying to work out who was on the sheet and for what reason.

I had a thought - we could create a Sign On Sheet online using Google Docs. All the students had to do was sign on electronically and not only did we have a neat, clear record of the auditions, we:
a) saved a lot of time having to type up audition names
b) could instantly see the list merged with all of the students' names on it.
I created a document and sent it to my colleague, she edited it and is now in the process of talking to the students about it. The interesting journey now is going to be teaching the school to use Google Documents to sign on... Perhaps we could train the SRC, and they train their classes? The journey continues...