Tool:
Our group chose to focus on different aspects of the Google Suite of applicaitons. The goal was to show how each of those tools (presentations, spreadsheets, drawings, and sites) can be used in collaborative ways. All members of my group were interested in utilizing google applications in the classroom and wanted to show the versatility of google tools. We chose to focus on all four tools because we have all had success in using them in the classroom as powerful collaboration tools.
Key Takeaways:
I was responsible for the section on Google Drawings as well as for recording and editing the entire project. In the recording phase, I became very familiar with the content of each of my group member's work. I use google tools with students on a daily basis, but my peers opened my eyes to new features and functions of some of the Google tools. I got greater insight on using templates in both Google Sites and Spreadsheets. In addition to learning more tips and tricks with some of the Google applications, I also learned a great deal more about Window’s Movie Maker. I recorded our slideshow using SMART Recorder, which is part of SMART Tools, and uploaded those recordings into Movie Maker. I am much more familiar with iMovie. All teachers in my district got new Dell laptops and I chose to do this project on my work computer. This was helpful for me because all our student netbooks have Movie Maker, and now I am much more skilled with this program.
As always with group projects, collaboration is a learning experience. Balancing schedules is extremely difficult in an online course where all group members work and/or take other classes as well. This group project, like others, taught me about how to work together to balance time and tasks. I also feel like I grew in my ability to communicate with others as well as how to ask for help.
Different Approach:
Group work is extremely challenging in online courses where students all have full-time jobs and/or are taking other classes simultaneously. It was a challenge to coordinate all of our busy lives. At the time of planning, I felt like our idea was really solid and that we would be very successful. It was not until everyone had completed their parts and we were ready to record, that I noticed a red flag. I was responsible for the recording, and through the process, came to the realization that we all had contributed way too much for our designated tools. It was extremely challenging to get in touch with everyone regarding specific changes to their parts in order to pare down information. If I were doing this project again, I would suggest only picking one or two tools to use for the tutorial.
I also think we could have benefited from one more web-conference. Our group had two web conferences and emailed back and forth often, but it would have been easier for me.in organizing the video, to have us all in one place at one time.
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