Joining the old with the new...

I always have to remind myself that when I experience new learning that I do not have to discard all the old.  I have to find ways to incorporate the old and new into something different.  For example today I learned how to upload Smartboard recordings into Google Sites.  I have used Smartboard recorder for a few years now, but now I have a new way in which to think about it as a communication tool.  I can have students demonstrate their understanding of a concept through Smartboard recorder and then save it to a Google document and embed the document into student portfolios as evidence for learning!  I look forward to merging these to tools as I become more digitally literate!

Using Announcement Pages on Google Sites as Blogs

As I continue to research for my Google Sites e portfolios project I found this video.  The above video shows how to create an announcement page and use it as a blog.  The video also shows how to post once the page has been created! My hope is that e portfolios will enhance the educational experience for children and families.  One of my goals is to continue to find ways to bridge the gap between home and school and the amount of communication students have with their parents on a consistent basis.  For young students I am thinking this will be an easy way for them to communicate weekly about their educational experience and also receive feedback from their parents and me. 

   

Google Sites

I found this great video that shows how to create a Google Site template! 

 

 I have been asked to pilot Google Dashboard in order to manage e portfolios for second graders.  In thinking about my project for this course I have spent time exploring a variety of tutorials specific to Google Sites.  I am hoping to create a template for the students to use, as a starting point, in order to establish continuity and ease of use and directions for early learning within the Google environment!

Google Dashboard Capabilities

With all of our talk today about managing visibility of our account I found the link below about Google Dashboard to address many of our discussions in a convenient way!

I am also thinking about my own project and how Dashboard is going to help me manage my e portfolios through Google Sites.  My school has asked me to pilot Dashboard and create e portfolios with second graders.  I am hoping that Dashboard will help me to manage and oversee students portfolios and create a learning experience that both showcases student work and demonstrates understanding, growth and reflection by students.  Having management access to each account will hopefully help make this sustainable!