Implementation+Plan

Why did you select this tool and how will it be used (be specific: describe the activity, what you will do, what your students will do, etc)?

//I chose **Google Docs and Photo Peach** because I can see they would provide the most benefit in a classroom where students would be more involved in working in groups on projects (cooperative learning) which would be highly visual and thought provoking. I think this is one type of activity I haven't provided enough opportunities for students to participate in before. This I plan on changing for the 2010-2011 school year.


 * Google Docs** would provide the opportunity for students to easily exchange ideas and edit each others' work and give feedback without worrying about the logistics of where or when to meet. The introduction to this tool and how to use it could be done on the computers from the computer carts. Students would then be given time during some class periods to work on the assignment. They then would be able to work on their projects just as easily after school, at home. For those students who don't have access to a computer at home, the public library is available if needed, or perhaps a friend could let them use theirs. Most of the students in my school have access to a computer, so this issue shouldn't be much of a problem.

While using// **//Google Docs,//** //students could also use **Photo Peach** to develop a presentation piece in Environmental Science about the negative impact man has had on the environment. Recent events, such as the BPE oil spill, has definitely provided a great deal of information on this issue, but this is by no means the only example to use. There are many other example which can be found. Working collaboratively, students could discuss, evaluate, and design a presentation which would then compare and contrast two or more examples and their impact. They could discuss and evaluate what man has done to try to correct the problem(s) or if he hasn't, explain why not. Hopefully, this would initiate some pretty good discussions and facilitate some higher level thinking.

For me, I can see that I would have to do some preliminary research to find examples of this issue for students to work on. I will probably make up a list of of topics that fit the subject, so students have a reference point and know what to start with. I will also need to make sure groups within the same class are not repeating the same material. Since I will be teaching four 6th grade classes, there will be overlapping of information between classes.

I will also need to plan about three or four days, at least, of class time with the computer carts. That means as soon as school starts, even before the students return to the class room, I would have to sign up for the computer carts to ensure I would get them. To know what dates I would need them for, I will have to basically plan out the school year during the summer, so I would know when I would be teaching environmental issues.

During the summer, I will then have to find some examples of the negative impact man has made on the environment and then use **Photo Peach** to make a sample presentation of what I expect students to do. This would give me more experience with the program and I would gain confidence in being able to teach it to my kids. I would also need to write up directions for students on how to use both programs. This would take some time to plan out, so I would be working on it over the summer as well.

RESTATED: For the three to four days I would need the computer carts, students would learn how to gather information and share it by using **Google Docs.** They then would learn how to make a presentation using **Photo Peach** and have some time to get started on the project itself. Students would have about 5 to 7 days total to work on this assignment, both in and out of the classroom. Again, I would have to be monitoring and evaluating if this was sufficient time in order to see if more or less time was needed.//

What strategies will this tool support?

//The strategies these tools will support are **Cooperative Learning,** **Nonlinguistic Presentation**. E**ffort and Recognition** as well as H**omework and Practice.**//

What preparation is required to make this happen? Consider your own learning, technical/logistical issues (unblock the website, create student accounts, lab time) etc.

//I think it will take a considerable amount of time since I will have to start preparing for it over the summer. It would not be an assignment I could give on a whim without knowing what I was doing. I do strongly believe I need to get to be more adept and confident using these two websites, so will need the summer to work on them more.

Again, in my building, computer usage is limited, so I would have to sign up for the carts well in advance of needing them. I also have to take into account how much time I will need before classes start in the morning, to set up the carts daily (they can't stay over night in a classroom) and make provisions for getting to school a little earlIer those days. I will also need to go over with the students the correct way to handle the computers and spend a few moments signing them out. How to use them will also need to be gone over with the students before I can start on the actual teaching of **Google Docs** and **Photo Peach.**//

//If there are any student accounts which need to be made, I wouldn't be able to do so until after school has started when I would find out who is in my class. That information generally isn't given out until teachers return to the building, a few days before school starts for the students.//