Using our Chrome Books, mobile labs, classroom computers, iPads, or their personal devices from home, our students can access GAFE tools anytime and anywhere. They use it to create shared documents with Google Docs, where they can collaborate with their ideas and provide each other feedback. They can use Google's features to comment directly on the document and the message is sent to all collaborators, even their teachers, if needed. If they need to chat live or video conference, they can do so with Google Talk.
As teachers, we have access to all of the same information. We can schedule conferences and invite participants through the Google Calendar. There is even a feature that can set automatic reminders to your email or via text messaging. Google Sites allow us to publish general information about our school, class or department. Visitors can access presentations, documents or links to various websites for resources. Google Doc features allow us to not only collaborate with our professional colleagues, but our young innovative students as well.
The best way to help our students master Creativity, Communication, Collaboration, and Critical Thinking is to change HOW we teach and learn in our classrooms. Google Apps for Education provides a means for students to demonstrate what they have learned and apply it in creative ways. The thing about technology is that there are so many different ways you can use it. GAFE can be used in conjunction with so many other technologies and applications to make it what you want for your students. We encourage you to try it out for yourself and see what your students can CREATE!
Alemnesh Allen, Intervention Resource Teacher, Tech Review~2015
Arlayna Willis, 3rd Grade Science Teacher, Tech Review~2015