Learning Management Systems and Google

Google has so many apps and uses.  Some of my favorites include: Google Forms, Google Docs, and Google Classroom.  Google Forms can be created for assessments: pretests, or post-tests.  You can also use them to get opinions from your students, both of which I do in my classroom.  Google Docs allows your students to collaborate in any number of ways or for any number of assignment types.  This also allows for the teacher to be in involved in the collaboration as well.  Teachers can make comments without changing the information on the document.  The teacher can help by giving suggestions on a project or by checking grammar or editing content. 

My class is currently doing a research project in small groups.  Most of their work is being done outside of school, so having the ability to collaborate with their peers without being in the same place at the same time is crucial.  Through this same method, I have the ability to keep an eye on their progress and make suggestions along the way to keep them on track or make their project better.  This is invaluable.

Google Classroom is a Learning Management System (LMS) that can be set up in multiple ways to help organize your class content, assign work, have discussion forums, and keep track of grades.   This is the LMS that I use in my classroom.  Google Classroom has many positives: it is very easy to use and navigate, for both the teacher and the students.  It is very easy to submit assignments, including videos, and it is easy to grade those assignments, give personalized feedback, as well as grades.  The negatives are: the assignments are difficult to find once they are past because everything is shown in a feed form, instead of folders that are easily organized; and it does not allow for built in lessons where the students are required to go from one page to the next in an preset order. 

For students, this LMS is extremely helpful in the classroom.  There is one place where students can go to find everything necessary in the class - assignments, due dates, resources, forums, and easy communication with the teacher.  The other great part of Classroom, parents can be added to the account to be able to see what their child is doing in class.  This helps with communication with parents, as well as support from the parents. 

In my classroom, Google Apps and Google Classroom are invaluable.  They help me assess my students, both formally and informally.  They help me keep my assignments organized and accessible.  They help me communicate with my students and their parents/guardians.  There may be downsides, but for me, the positives definitely outweigh those downsides.  As I use it more, I will probably have to change some details or processes, but overall, this addition to my class has been a great technological resource.