16th January 2016

Web-based learning

Record in your blog some of the web-based resources that you may be able to use and how you will integrate them into your teaching.

I was impressed to see the large variety of apps in the Google Education suite.  I read the case study of Brown University who in 2009-2010 used Google Apps for Eduction to revolutionise their email and collaboration for students, faculty, staff and alumni.  Like TAFE, they used Microsoft Exchange and found that the storeage quota of 200MB vastly inadequate, the cost of constant server upgrades was excessive and they also wanted "life-long" email access for their alumni to keep collaboration and networks alive. By tranferring 20,000 email accounts over from Exchange to Google they saved $800,000 per year over 5 years and millions in email server upgrades.  They also utilised Google Groups, Google Docs and Forms to collaborate and share information and Google Drive to store three million files. (Google for Education, 2014). 

After reading this I wondered how much easier my life would be if my organisation were bold and innovative enough to do a similar thing.  Presently we have to constantly archive and empty our Outlook inbox and sent items or the account disables and cannot be used.  I don't have time to archive so each week or two I delete hundreds of emails and attachments.  Of course most emails can and should be deleted but it would be nice to be free of the constraints of Microsoft Exhange and to have access to all the additional features that come with Google Plus.  It is interesting that Google Plus came about from "Google 20% time" where Google allows its engineers 20% of their work time to engage in a project not related to their job description.  (AITSL, 2014).

From the Google for Education suite I could integrate the following into the classroom:

1.  Google Cultural Institute - students usually undertake field trips to the Sydney Art Gallery and Museum and other cultural events that take place in Sydney.  It would be wonderful to take virtual field trips to sites and exhibitions all over the world. 

2.  Google Scholar - I am using it for this course, students in Cert III English for Further Study and Cert IV English for Academic Purposes could make good use of this app when researching their assignments and essays, it can be linked to relevant libraries to make searching easier.

3.  Google YouTube EDU:  we already use YouTube extensively for students to listen to TEDX talks and lectures among other things, this app can be used to categorise and personalise topics for particular classes / subjects.

4.  Google Translate - we are already using it in the low level classes so students can quickly translate new words or phrases into their own language when needed.

5.  Google Now - to quickly access information e.g. ABC news.

6.  Google Blogger - which I am using now, I can see real benefits for students to use this app as an electronic journal to improve their writing skills through collaboration with teacher and each other.


Bibliography:

AITSL (2014) 50 examples of innovative approaches to professional growth from across the world - Based on the Global Trends in professional learning and performance & development - some implications and ideas for the Australian education system report.  Accessed from:  http://www.aitsl.edu.au/public/innovative50/index.html?page=Google-20percent-time
on 16/1/2016.

Google Apps for Education.  Accessed from http://www.google.com.au/edu/tools-and-solutions/index.html#  on 16/1/2016