Continuing with Google Docs

My class began writing topics last month using Google Docs. The comment stream has been instrumental in providing guidance and reminders for them to create their best 5 paragraph essay. Currently we have put our Google Docs writing assignment on hold to complete the county prompt. Students were bummed out when they realized it was back to paper and pencil. I see the Google Docs experience really helping them become skilled in the use of Google Docs for assignments. They are anticipating the return to Google Docs! Google Docs has brought excitement to a subject area that is usually boring and difficult to get them engaged in! Thank you technology leaders and facilitators for training and helping teachers move to the 21st Century classroom!

Google Docs

In the first phase of introducing Google Docs, students worked together to collaborate ideas about a hero in Google Docs that was shared with all the users. This was their first exposure to Google Docs. They loved it! They were excited that they could see other working and really liked fixing the mistakes of each other. Then I used it to help guide them in their own writing piece about a hero.

In this phase of Google Docs, the students will take more ownership of their writing pieces. Today, they chose a topic, and  a partner to create a collaborative paper on a given topic from start to finish. This week we will focus on getting everyone to the computer to practice signing in and finding their shared document. Next week we will begin digitally commenting using the peer conference questions used in previous writing prompts to help provide constructive feedback as we transition from the first draft to the final draft process. The wiki was reintroduced today as an important part of our writing to communicate their ideas while also considering their audience, using formal register and providing complete thoughts about their side of the issue.

Let's Google!

Two weeks ago we began writing an essay on a role-model or hero. Many students chose men and women that have made a positive contribution to our nation and world. Some examples are Martin Luther King, Jr, Rosa Parks and Sojourner Truth. To kick start this essay, a handful of students were provided with their gmail account information. They logged in and other students joined them as we started brainstorming ideas for our essays. We discussed lead statement, transition words, I believe statements and facts or examples to support main ideas. The students loved seeing their peers on the same screen, working on ideas together and fixing each other's mistakes. Although we have transitioned to individual essays, Google Docs was a great resource to get them thinking and working together for a writing assignment. The next technology piece will include the use of the wiki so they can express their ideas in that format also.