Start with the Standard....then Run with IT!!!!

When 8th-12th grade English teachers arrived to their classrooms this past August, they were greeted with a classroom set of shiny Chromebooks.  The TCS Digital Conversion had begun!  While teachers were excited about the prospect of being able to use the device EVERY SINGLE DAY, some still felt trepidation regarding how exactly the tools would be utilized.  As my inbox began to flood with questions, I took a few minutes (heck, really a few days........) to mull over just how I could best help teachers.  And here's what I came up with.....start with the standard.

Yep, it was that simple.  After all, the Chromebook and the myriad of technology it brings really are just all instructional tools.  Like a graphic organizer, or biopyramid, or reciprocal teaching cards, the Chromebook is an instructional tool.  Thus, as I plan with teachers, we start with the standard and then we evaluate our tools....including Chromebooks.

So, for this post, I thought I would list two writing standards and then share how Google Docs could be used to teach the standards.  The two standards I chose are under the anchor standards of Production and Distribution of Writing:

W.CCR.6:  Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and to interact and collaborate with others

W.CCR.5:  Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach

To me, Google Docs is like Microsoft Office on steroids.  Users can create documents, presentations, insert images, add tables, and add links.  But what makes Google Docs the ultimate collaboration tool is its sharing function.  Once you've created a document, you just click "share" and then invite people to edit your document.  What's impressive is that all edits of the document are saved and you can see who made the edits!  There's also a chat function so that you may chat with your collaborators.  If you can't collaborate in real time, you can also leave comments for your collaborators to look at when they open the document. How cool is that?!

Imagine the power of meeting the previously mentioned writing standards through Google Docs.  No longer do your students have to swap papers and edit via red pen.  They can now write, collaborate for peer edits, and provide feedback all through Google Docs.

If you would like to discuss using Google Docs in your classroom or for any planning help, please email me at sbogert@tusc.k12.al.us.  I'd love to come visit you and your students!

Shannon Bogert is a secondary curriculum specialist with the Tuscaloosa City Schools.  Email her at the address mentioned above or connect with her on Twitter (@shannonbogert1).