Device Deployment: Now What Do I Do?

 Many schools across the nation are taking full advantage of the low cost of technology by purchasing devices for entire classrooms or grade levels.  Ok,  so now you have all of these devices in your room, but what do you do with them?  One answer is integrate.  If we start with just the basic application of Google Docs, so many student products can be generated from this one free online tool, that can make all the difference to your students.

Language Arts

Reading and writing do go hand in hand, and Google Docs can enhance reading and writing lessons to a whole new level.  Below is a list of products that can be created and used in the area of Language Arts:

• Create a brochure on characters, books, historical figures, etc
• Create a group book response using the Share feature in Docs
• Create a “how to” document, with embedded images
• Create an online journal, with links to videos, audio files and images.   Yes, Evernote can do the same thing, but you have an upload limit.  With an Edu account, Google Drive has NO limit to the size or amount of files you can add.

Science

Justifying hypotheses and giving detailed accounts of observations and procedures are just the tip of the iceberg of things that can be done using Google Docs.  Here are some inventive and creative activities that utilize Docs.

• Import an image and label the parts of plants, animals, etc.
• Create a table that displays all of the components of a science project, to include the use of images.
• Have students collaborate on a document that will serve as an explanation of variables and how they were tested.
• Use the drawing component to create an image that displays scientific findings from a given experiment.

Math

Mathematics really isn’t all about numbers and representations.  Students must learn to justify their answers using good, solid academic language, and valid logical conclusions.  Below is a list of activities that can be used with Google Docs in the area of Math.

• Import images to demonstrate adding, subtracting, multiplying or dividing.
• Using the drawing component, a student can illustrate and explain how s/he solved a problem.
• Students can collaborate on a document to describe and define mathematical concepts and vocabulary words.
• Students can link to tutorials on Kahn Academy, Educreations or YouTube that show in detail how to solve a particular kind of problem, or even create their own.

Social Studies

Learning how people interact, where we came from, and what may lie in our future are just some of the concepts that are covered when looking at Social Studies content.  There are many activities that require deep thinking and much collaboration.

• Use the drawing component to create a map of a historic event
• Collaborate with other to hypothesize what historic leaders were thinking or feeling during certain events.
• Create a journal entry from the point of view of a historic figure
• Create a timeline of a historic individual or event.

With the immense variety of online tools for students and teachers to use, we have merely looked at one simple tool.   Utilizing Google Docs is a great way to engage our students to communicate, collaborate, think critically and create an original artifact.  Get your feet wet and try Google Docs with your students.  The possibilities are infinite!