Google+Classroom--Choose+your+own+Adventure



//**Introduction: Lesli Smith **//

Currently I teach GED classes for Project Learn of Summit Co. We are a nonprofit that helps the residents of Summit Co. obtain their GED. We also want to help them as they bridge from GED to college or other career choices. And we help with beginning literacy skills, for adults who cannot read.

I teach two classes for Project Learn and in both classes **attendance is a huge problem**. Students cannot come because of car issues, child care issues, chaotic home life, etc. Examples of texts I got last week:

//Sorry worked all night, not gonna make it today// //Car not running, see you next week// //Kid home sick not coming in today//

My class with the best attendance sits at about 65% and my other class is less than 30%. Because our average is about 45% we at Project Learn want to find ways to a) help students get to class and b) do things at home when they can’t come to class.

We have a distance learning option, but find that retention is even lower in that section. When Google classrooms were introduced, I saw it as a way to help reach my students who still come to class, but can only make it once or twice a week.

I set up a classroom for both of my classes and I try to post what we did that day--maybe a video from science or some math practice. Because the students are able to access the classroom on their mobile devices, the response has been very positive.

It doesn’t work for everyone, but it seems to work well for a decent portion. I had a student just have to miss 6 weeks, but she did the online math while she was home and kept up on her assignments. She just took her first two tests and passed! She was able to make a connection and still be a participant in our classroom.

Presentation

Google Classroom

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE

( [|History of Choose Your Own Adventure] )

//** Instructions-- **// // Read all options before making a selection. Once you have finished your selection you may wish to start at the beginning and choose another option. Feel free to do so. Have Fun! //

//** Option 1-- **// //** An absolute beginner **// You are a wonderful teacher but have not ever used Google Classroom and have no idea if your school has an account.

[|Video on how to sign up] For most of you you should be able to register your school and get a free account, if you do not work in education you may still register--you may have to pay $10-12.00/year. There is a free two week trial as well. Or You are a [|read] the directions kind of person. Here is another article to [|read] just in case.

//** Option 2-- **// //** Novice **// You are novice. You do have an account, but you have never really used it to set up a classroom. This [|Video] has options so you can skip around to the parts that you want to learn. Or you prefer to [|Read] the instructions:

//** Option 3-- **// //** Advanced **// You are a bit more advanced. You use google classrooms, but you would like to optimize your experience

[|Video] It is a bit long, but I learned a ton. Here are the highlights--so you can decide if you want to invest 17 min. How to better use Google classroom and changes for 2017 Or I prefer to [|Read] about the updates:
 * 1) Schedule posts
 * 2) Questions can be multiple choice
 * 3) Better integration of Google forms
 * 4) Guardian email--can use non google, but more complicated

//** Option 4-- **// //** Just looking **// You don’t want to go through the trouble of setting up an account, but do want to take a look at how it works. [|Google Classroom Login] Here is a login--graduated student-- mrivers@myprojectlearn.org Password: projectlearn Browse around and see what you think of the site!

//** Conclusion: **// Google Classroom is a great tool to reach students with attendance problems. It is also valuable for students who have a hard time keeping track of assignments and papers. While there are some glitches with the program, it continues to change and improve with time.

ISTE Standards For Teachers:
 * Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity - Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments.
 * Design and Develop Digital Age Learning Experiences and Assessments -Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessments incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the Standards.
 * Model Digital Age Work and Learning - Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global and digital society.

See this link for more Teacher ISTE Standards: ISTE Standards for Teachers For Students:
 * Empowered Learner - Students leverage technology to take an active role in choosing, achieving and demonstrating competency in their learning goals, informed by the learning sciences.
 * Innovative Designer - Students use a variety of technologies within a design process to identify and solve problems by creating new, useful or imaginative solutions.
 * Knowledge Constructor - Students critically curate a variety of resources using digital tools to construct knowledge, produce creative artifacts and make meaningful learning experiences for themselves and others.

See this link for more ISTE Standards: 2016 ISTE Standards for Students