Just Google it

 Reflecting on the topics that we discussed in class today, I was struck by the amount of options for learning are integrated into the Google learning experience. Between Google classroom, Google maps, Google news, Google earth and the like, teachers almost never have to leave Google. I grew up just before classrooms started getting a large number of Chromebooks that students had extended time to work on. For us, the school had one computer cart that our teacher could book for a class period. We would check out a computer, work on our assignment, put it away, and then never see the computer again.  

Entering college, we started to have more homework and assignments that we had to work on digitally and to be able to submit or work on with our own computers. I became a Chromebook user for cost efficiency, mainly using Google Docs and Google Slides; not much more than that. I only used the basic functions and got my work done on the computer solely because we didn't do it on paper or by a different medium.  

Computers were never my source of high tech, technology use. In part because I was never required to use highly interactive materials; a copy and paste image here and a PowerPoint animation there is as far as I went. But even doing that was using Google's resources well. Now-a-days things have certainly changed. Google classroom has created an interactive environment jam packed with hyperlink and embedding options. Student's can interact on the same documents and materials of different types that are all set up in advance and controlled by the teacher. 

Today's teachers have an incredible resource in front of them. A resource that their districts are already paying for and their student's are already equipped to thrive with. I am personally terrified of and exited about this technology. I have so much to learn and catch up on to use this tool effectively, but I see how I can teach students in a much deeper and more meaningful way with it. 

Wish Me Luck!!