Design Experiment #1: Google Apps

Google Classroom is a powerful web 2.0 tool that allows teachers to share resources and information with their class and other invested parties. 

One powerful advantage of google classroom is that it is accessible from almost all devices, whether iOS, android, or Windows, including tablets, smart phones, laptops, and desktops.  Another advantage is the limitless ability to share documents, pictures, or other files through Google Drive.  Another pro is the quick ability to post assignments, the quickness for students to submit the assignments, and the availability of easily seeing who has or has not submitted assignments.

One disadvantage I have personally experienced with Google is the inability to log in with multiple accounts in one browser.  I have 3 accounts with google: one through TAMU-C, one through Clarksville ISD, and a personal account I have created.  Right now, I am logged into MyLeo with the TAMU-C account, but I created my blogger account with my personal Google account many years ago, so I have to log out of MyLeo to get into the blogger account and make this post.  Sometimes it is annoying to be logged in my e-mail on one account, but unable to log into my YouTube, or other linked Google app, without signing out of the e-mail.  I have learned with accessing one app through Google Chrome, and another through Microsoft Edge, does serve as a solution.

If teachers obtain knowledge of the abilities of the technology of Google Classroom, they can brainstorm ways in which they can create and post assignments related to the content knowledge of the subject in which they are teaching, in a fashion that meets the pedagogy of their choice.  This is how Google Classroom should be analyzed when considering TPACK when planning instruction.  I personally think one style of successful pedagogy is one that allows communication not only between teachers and students but also among students to other students, and the easy ability to comment in Google Classroom helps makes this possible.

Google Earth is an app I have had the opportunity to see demonstrated at several technology conferences I have attended in the past.  I have seen teachers assign specific GPS coordinates across the globe for students to use in a scavenger hunt type activity, where they complete a specific task of some kind at each location.  I think Google Earth is an awesome app for low socioeconomic students, or really any students, to get the opportunity to explore places on earth they probably would not have the opportunity to see in real life.  It is even possible that an activity like this could create a goal for an individual to one-day travel to a location they explore on Google Earth as something to motivate them throughout their educational career.

Google Translate is an app I use every week.  Since I am ESL certified, and have many parents that speak absolutely no English, Google Translates allows me to easily translate my weekly newsletters, or other written correspondence to parents.  My Pre-K students, who cannot yet spell and type, can speak into a device and use this app to have their speech translated.  I have actually had conversations with parents where I have had my phone handy with Google Translate up so that my phone could translate what I said and then speak it for the parents to understand.  Spanish is the only language I have personally experimented with using Google Translate, but I believe students interest could be engaged towards culture and diversity by experimenting with a variety of languages used around the globe.