Day Seventeen: Google Apps

We know we know there was no post on Friday, but it gave you a chance to really take a good look at some of the previous tools; and think about how you would use them in your classroom. A weekend blog post comment emphasized "balance" and "incorporation" and I echo her sentiments. While we have introduced you to many tools, by no means is it expected for you to try them all. We know that there will be something here for everyone, and just trying and incorporating one can make a remarkable difference.

Today we will take a look at google docs and google apps. We are a google apps for education district and have added additional “apps” (applications) to our google domain. This just means you can access these apps from within your google dashboard.

What is google docs? It is google’s suite of office tools. Microsoft has word, powerpoint and excel; google has a document creator, presentations and spreadsheets, in addition they also have forms that allows you to create surveys (and view them in a spreadsheet). Here is a short overview of google docs.



Here is a way to use google docs for classroom peer editing and review.

Most of us have experience with powerpoint either creating them or viewing slideshows that others have created. Let’s look at google’s version called presentations and see how it stacks up to powerpoint.

Powerpoint Presentations
Large Selection of themes/backgrounds Limited selection
Ability to narrate Not yet
Can add video Can also add video
Variety of slide transitions/animations Limited
No realtime collaboration possible Real time collaboration
$$$$ Free!
Windows based Any platform (Windows/Mac/Linux)
Does not work well w/other versions Not an issue; plus you can download AS a powerpoint, pdf or image
Paid upgrades Weekly automatically added updates/upgrades   
*Basically powerpoint is still the reigning champion in terms of features, but presentations are adding more and more everyday. One important difference is powerpoint is a standalone software and presentations is a web application.

Here is a really cool video showing the power of presentations....and no one expects you to create this (although I secretly want to try)
 

Now we are going to look at some web apps that are included in our google domain; that you and your students have access to. The first one is slide rocket. Slide rocket is a presentation maker that, honestly, combines the best features of powerpoint and presentations (and even has some flash based tricks you find in Prezi). You can work collaboratively, it has a ton of features presentations lack, you can narrate, add video/audio, the graphics really pop and are perfect for student assignments as well as teaching.  Here is a brief overview of sliderocket and you can reach it by going to your google docs toolbar and clicking “more”; it is listed.

       
Visit sliderocket and view their many examples to see if this is a tool you will want to introduce into your classroom!  

Next we will look at an app called Lucid Charts. Here in Middletown many of the elementary and middle schools use the mind mapping software Inspiration. Again this is stand alone software so if a student is using it at school they can not continue working at home. With Lucid Charts (you find it the same way you do for slide rocket) you can create charts/diagrams, drawings, even floorplans and room layouts in school and continue working on it at home collaboratively with classmates; or in our case colleagues. Even administrators can use it to create organizational charts, it has something for everyone.


You can even create a “lyrical flowchart” disclaimer: we take no responsibility if this song is stuck in your head all day and you find yourself singing it to your classes! 

Next time you need a chart or diagram of any kind give Lucid Chart a try!

The last app we will look at is the Aviary suite of creativity tools. They are also found in google docs, under “more” (toolbar).  While Aviary offers a tool to markup documents, extensively edit videos, create vectors, create photo effects and one click editing; we will concentrate on its audio editing tool. With this tool you can create a podcast, edit previously recorded audio, make looping beats and even remix a song. Teachers can record lessons for absent students, skill review, or messages for the class or parents. You can create podcasts and store them on your blog or website, or have students create newscasts, or audio recordings that make your curriculum come alive. Warning, there is a learning curve, (not expert level but I would be remiss if I didn’t mention it) so you and your students should view the tutorial and begin creating! I would think English classes could create book reviews, dramatic readings or alternate endings. Maybe Science classes could explain the steps in an experiment (to embed in their slide rocket presentation) or have a student created monthly science podcast that covers science in the news and how it relates to what they are learning. Math teachers could have podcasts explaining complex math concepts (again pairing it with a slide rocket or lucid chart) or posting a math problem on their website or blog and challenging students to create an audio explanation and post it. 

I hope today's post peaked your interest in trying the district's google apps, whether it be docs or one of the added web applications!