This project was a collaboration between Sydney Coon and Lisa Sharpe
Technology is a major part of everyone's life for social reasons but it also can be very helpful when it comes to education. Google Apps for Education (GAFE) is, “a prominent technology tool that has been gaining momentum in both K-12 as well as higher education. It includes Google's core suite of applications (Drive, Calendar, Contacts, GMail, Sites, Talk) with the added ability to control, scale, and manage access with an eye for an educational institution's individual needs” (Relch, 2014). These communication and collaboration apps can be accessed from any device with internet connection. This allows for easy access for educators and students to collaborate on projects but also make communication easier.
According to EdTechTeacher, “Once a school decides to embrace Google Apps for Education, they can register their school domain (web address), and administer all teacher and student accounts from an administrative dashboard” (2017). GAFE was specially created for educational purposes when using Google tools. Technology can be used to support and enhance education which in turn benefits everyone involved. It is our job as educators so seek out new and diverse opportunities, as well as encourage student empowerment and learning. Throughout our excursion with Google products, we have tried to closely follow the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) standards for teachers. Standard 2b states that educators should “advocate for equitable access to educational technology, digital content, and learning opportunities to meet the diverse needs of all students” (ISTE, 2018).
To implement GAFE in the classroom, we created several Google Products. Google Forms, Google Slides, and Google Classroom are great tools to use with children. “Technology and media should be used to support learning, not an isolated activity, and to expand young children’s access to new content” (NAEYC, 2012, p.5). Google Slides enables children to work simultaneously on a project, or create a study guide for material. This tool not only promotes group work and communication, but also provides more means of accessibility. The slides can also be shared with others, making it very easy for teachers to view the student’s progress. Google Classroom is a tool that combines social media profile styles with academic work. A teacher can easily add his or her students to the “class.” The group will then receive updates and posts from the teacher regarding important material and links. This tool does an excellent job at promoting communication amongst classmates and teachers while maintaining appropriateness. Donohue & Schomburg (2015) state “these new tools hold promise for teaching and learning, but only when they are used effectively, appropriately, and intentionally” (p.50).
Implementing GAFE in the classroom is a great way to promote technology use in the classroom. Each Google application can be tailored to the students needs. Google products are also easily compatible with plug-in applications to serve the needs of students with disabilities. It is important that educators implement curriculum in rich, rigorous, and relevant ways. GAFE does just that and more, as it enables and encourages students to become active socially and creatively.
References: Donohue, C. & Schomburg, R. (2015). Chapter 4. Teaching with Technology: Preparing Early Childhood Educators for the Digital Age. In C. Donohue (Ed.), Technology and Digital Media in the Early Years (p. 36-50). New York & London: Rougtledge.
Google Apps for Education. (2017). EdTechTeacher. Retrieved March 8, 2018, from http://edtechteacher.org/gafe/
ISTE, (2018). International Society for Technology in Education Standards for Educators. Retrieved March 8th, 2018 from www.iste.org/standards.aspx
National Association for the Education of Young Children [NAEYC] and the Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children’s Media at Saint Vincent College. (2012, January). Technology and interactive media as tools for early childhood programs serving children from birth through age 8. Retrieved February 8th, 2016 from http://www.naeyc.org/content/technology-and-young-children.
Relch, J. (2014). Why We Went Google Apps for Education. Retrieved from http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/edtechresearcher/2014/06/guest_post_why_went_went_g oogle_apps.html
ISTE Standards
ISTE standard addressed, 2 Leader, "Educators seek out opportunities for leadership to support student empowerment and success and to improve teaching and learning." 2b, "Advocate for equitable access to educational technology, digital content and learning opportunities to meet the diverse needs of all students."