#4 Google Suite

I love Google Suite!  I used a lot of these options last year but I did not use Google Forms so that is what I went with.  I run the Reading Buddies program at Bel Air so I thought setting up a form for volunteers to register for the program would be helpful.  It would be easy to share with volunteers and I love how it puts the data into a spreadsheet for me.  One less thing that I would need to do!

I love the flexibility that Google sharing offers to everyone.  Just like one of the videos said.....you never come to school without your homework!  Same for teachers, I am always working on things at home, so all I need to do is log into Google and I have everything I need! No more emailing docs back and forth, flashdrives or forgetting things at school.

I am the extension/intervention teacher for 2nd grade so I am always sharing data with my team and our BAIT (Bel Air Intervention Team).  I can set up a doc or spreadsheet and update it for everyone to use.  I like the editing options, also.  At times I just want to share data without the options of editing and other times everyone needs to input their own data. We also share a lot of lessons around our PLC so this is a great way for us all to work together.

I see many benefits of using Google Drive with students.  The overall ease of it would be the biggest benefit.  You can check in on them without getting right in their space (which intimidates many).  You can comment on their work and no one else needs to see it.  I love the idea of adding a quick link to a video or helpful site.  The students would be able to take more ownership of their work.  You can also do it from anywhere.  You don't need to bring notebooks and papers home in order to correct them.

The only con that I see with Google Drive is that I need to keep it organized.  Naming and labeling items in a meaningful way would be important.  I will be using it for so many different aspects of my job that knowing how to find things will be key.  I do like being able to search for things so if I name them correctly, I should be able to locate them.

I also uploaded documents that I made years ago for a Literature Circle.  I have them saved on my home computer.  Having these more accessible will be helpful to me and I will be able to easily share them with others.
Literature Circles