Rationale for Technology
This Activation Matrix helped get my wishes out of my head and onto paper. However, because I had already tried and eliminated Redbooth and Wikispaces last summer/fall, and then tried and eliminated D2L, and then tried and enjoyed the Google Apps, I felt as though the matrix was a less useful strategy in decision-making than was playing around with the tool and watching videos.
After building a system that integrates Google Sites, Calendar, Forms and Drive (please do play around on my website to check out these features!), I could see myself using the Google Site as the front-end UI, with Google Drive as the back-end database, which would house my class roster, forms (quizzes, assignments), spreadsheets (grade book), and documents and slides (handouts, presentations). The Activation Matrix demonstrates how Google solves the problems I was trying to solve.
I’ve had to decide how best to share information thinking about the Google site and the classroom. I think the following process will work best:
I found that what I liked best about Google Apps is their virtually seamless integration. It reminds me a lot of how MS SharePoint seamlessly integrates with other MS Office apps . I believe that Google Apps will provide the best level of functionality for me.
I especially like that there are so many help resources available, including video tutorials and active forums. The forum environment is useful because I can see whether others are thinking similarly or are running into similar problems and we can solve them together.
Additionally, users and developers alike seem to be dreaming up and creating new features rapidly. For example, I’m very interested in using Hapara Teacher Dashboard alongside this system, as this seems to provide oodles of additional oversight and management capabilities without having to build it all myself.
I’ve had to decide how best to share information thinking about the Google site and the classroom. I think the following process will work best:
- In Google Drive, create a folder for each class within my Teacher folder. The folder can contain my lesson plan, any planning resources, and any assignments or handouts.
- Migrate this folder into the “Class View” folder and remove viewing permissions for any materials that students don’t need to see (like lesson plans).
- Post the class agenda to a “class” page of my Google Site and put a link to the folder on Google Drive.
- When conducting class, bring up on the screen the “class” page of the Google Site. Use this as a hub for facilitating the lesson, including having students navigate to the site and use resources from there, etc.
I found that what I liked best about Google Apps is their virtually seamless integration. It reminds me a lot of how MS SharePoint seamlessly integrates with other MS Office apps . I believe that Google Apps will provide the best level of functionality for me.
I especially like that there are so many help resources available, including video tutorials and active forums. The forum environment is useful because I can see whether others are thinking similarly or are running into similar problems and we can solve them together.
Additionally, users and developers alike seem to be dreaming up and creating new features rapidly. For example, I’m very interested in using Hapara Teacher Dashboard alongside this system, as this seems to provide oodles of additional oversight and management capabilities without having to build it all myself.