Tech Tools For Collaboration
In Professional Learning Communities
Professional Learning Communities in
Robertson County Schools
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All schools in Robertson County School District are in the process
of learning to function as Professional Learning
Communities. This process was begun in 2008 under the
leadership of Dr. Robert Eaker, MTSU Professor and co-author of
various books on School Improvement and Professional Learning
Communities.
Robertson County Teachers Collaborate for Student Achievement
Why All These Papers?
There is an easier way - through the integration of technology as a collaboration tool!
GOOGLE DOCS
The first of these tools is Google Docs. This free service provided by Google allows
online users to create or upload files that can be shared with whomever the user
designates anywhere in the world. Google Docs allows the user to share documents,
presentation files, spreadsheets and much more.
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Getting a Google Account is free. All you need
is a working email address.
Click on the link to go directly to the account creation
page: https://www.google.com/accounts/NewAccount
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After completing this account request, you will recieve an email
from Google that requires you to click a link in the email to
confirm that you are a real person. Click on this link in your email
to activate your account. Now you are ready to log in
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You can access Google Docs by going to their homepage
(www.google.com) Click "More" in the title bar and pull down to
documents or go there directly by going to www.google.com/docs
With Google Docs you can create online documents, presentations,
spreadsheets, forms, drawings and much more. You can also upload
documents, pdfs, spreadsheets etc that you already have and share.
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To create a new online document, click on
"Create New, then click on document.
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Your new untitled document will appear as below. You want to give it a
name by clicking the box "Untitled document" and name your new
document. Now click save and you have an online document that you
can edit anywhere and can be edited and shared by others anywhere you
have access to the internet.
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To share a file is easy. Click on the file you want to share, then click on
the "Actions" pull down. There are several things you can do with a file
from here. We want to share a document with others. Click on Share.
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To share the file with others, you enter their email addresses here. You
can also enter a note to put in the email telling them what you are sharing
or other information. Click on the "can edit" button to allow others for
view only or edit. You can enter several people here by putting a
semicolon between addresses (;)
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The persons you enter here will get an email telling them that you have
shared a file with them. They can click on this file link and it will take
them to Google Docs and show the file. If they do not already have an
account on Google, it will take them to the login screen seen earlier to
create a new account. After creating the account, they will see your file
when they log in.
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Now when the other user logs on to their account, they will see the
document that you shared with them marked (shared) at the end of the
file name. You can open and edit this document now. All those that you
shared with can do the same.
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Spreadsheets are great for keeping up with data. You may already have
some spreadsheets that you email around to each other in your
collaborative team to work on or view things. With google docs, you can
upload an existing spreadsheet or create a new one here. A spreadsheet
created here is compatible to excel and can be edited using the same
features you are accustomed to in excel.
To create a spreadsheet, just click on "create new" and pull down to
"spreadsheet:
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Your newly created spreadsheet will look like the picture below. Be sure
to click on the word "unsaved spreadsheet" at the top and name your
spreadsheet. It will be saved automatically.
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You can enter information right into this spreadsheet then share it out so
others can also enter information that all can see.
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To share a spreadsheet, you will do just as you did to share a
document. Click on "actions", pull down to share. Enter email addresses
of those you want to share with just like you did in documents.
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To share a spreadsheet, you will do just as you did to share a
document. Click on "actions", pull down to share. Enter email addresses
of those you want to share with just like you did in documents.
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There are many, many additional things you can do with Google for
collaboration. Below are some examples.
GOOGLE CALENDAR - Use Google Calendar and share it out to your
collaborative team. You will all stay on the same page with dates,
deadlines etc and when new events are added, all will receive an email to
let them know an event is coming.
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GOOGLE PRESENTATIONS - You can create a powerpoint compatible
presentation online with your collaborative team. This can be accessed
online or downloaded for use by any of your members.
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Google Forms - You can create a form that can be helpful for
entering information.
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Online drawing tools
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GOOGLE READER - You can use Google Reader to pull updated
information from your favorite web sites.
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Google is one of the most used search engines in the world.
GOOGLE SEARCH ENGINE (www.google.com) Set this as your home
page for access to all things Google. You can sign in here.
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GOOGLE MAPS - Google maps can be used to view maps, get
directions and much more.
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A satellite view of anywhere in the world. A
truly amazing tool that allows you to “fly”
across the globe. Great for Virtual Tours
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GOOGLE IMAGES - Find clipart and pictures galore.
* A caution – all images may not be suitable for children.
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GOOGLE VIDEOS - Find videos on practically any subject.
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GOOGLE NEWS - Up to the minute news that is searchable.
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GOOGLE SHOPPING - Search for anything sold online.
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Many resources catered to education are
available on Google.
www.google.com/educators
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Once in you can begin to collaborate with your Professional Learning
Community like never before. Spend some time exploring all the features
Google has to offer. These tools will help you and your Professional
Learning Community to grow in shared knowledge and ultimately help
your students achieve success!
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Collaborative teams that work with technology
tools can help improve student achievement.