Google Docs Experience

So my Google Docs experience has probably been significantly different from everyone elses since I have not been able to log in yet! However, I have used Google Docs before to collaborate with peers on a joint project. I have grown to really appreciate the convience of Google Docs because I am not one who likes to travel and physically work with other people. I love to collaborate on projects and have the different insights and ideas but hate the hassle that comes with finding a common time in schedules to meet. I think that Google Docs is very simple and easy to use making it a great tool for anyone who wants to try it out.

I have never used Google Docs in my own classroom of third graders so I'm not sure how good of a tool it would be for younger users. Does anyone have any experience using this tool with younger children? If so, what are some ways you have used it and how well did it work?

Integrating Subjects

For our latest discussion we were asked to develop two project based learning activities that would integrate three different subject areas for a specific age group. At first I found myself feeling overwhelmed with the need to integrate a "special" into my project. I typically integrate different subject areas in activities and projects in my class reguarlly, but never have I thought to integrate art, music, p.e., or library. This discussion also forced me to actually look at the GPS for each of these subject areas because I have never made myself aware of them before!

Aside from what I learned about myself as a teacher and how to create projects like these, this dicsussion also taught me something about myself as a learner. After posting my comments and suggestions to other peers I had others respond to my comments (as this was part of the assignment) and I had a few negative feelings about the comments that were given. I like to approach discussions like these as a forum to provide as much constructive criticism as I can offer because I feel like that is the purpose of the discussions, however I make it a point to include positive feedback and give helpful suggestions for improvement. Some of the comments that were made in reply to my suggestions made me feel like I was too harsh. So now I have reached the point where I'm not sure whether I have overstepped my place as a peer and not an instructor when providing feedback or if I am being too sensitive to the criticism I am receiving as a result of it. Is anyone else having the same issues? Or do you feel that some of the feedback you are receiving is out of line coming from a peer rather than a teacher? Please let me know your thoughts!

Using Voice Thread with Third Graders

So I have finally used a Web 2.0 tool in my classroom that has worked well! I am so excited to share our use of Voice Thread and how we are planning to use it in the future. I decided to use Voice Thread as a means of a pre-assessment to begin our unit on Westward Expansion. My students have had a really difficult time reflecting at the end of a unit on what they have learned. So to help with this problem I decided to ask my students five questions about westward expansion and had them answer using Voice Thread. We are going to answer the same questions three weeks into our unit and again at the end of the unit. Then my students will go back and hear their initial responses and compare them to their last ones. Hopefully this will allow them to hear what they have actually learned. The next obstical we will have to overcome is how to get those vocal ideas down on paper...

After using Voice Thread and seeing how easy it was for my students to grasp the tool, I have been inspired to continue using this tool and exploring others. I did face a few challenges using this tool (like having to pay to get the students to upload their comments instead of having them comment directly through the microphone and the file sizes being too large), but I used them as a learning experience that will help me do the next project better. Does anyone have any other tools they have used successfully with younger students? If so, what type of projects did you do with them? I am so ready to try other things now!