Google Classroom

  I used google classroom growing up, especially in high school so it is hard for me to picture school without it! As you know, I am long term subbing in Guymon, currently, and we use google classroom in our school as well. Each kid has their own chromebook-so they know how to run it very well. Each teacher has their own class set up, and as teachers it is convenient because you don't have to recreate the same content for each period, just simply copy/paste it into the next hour. Google classroom is GREAT, very simple to use, and google does a wonderful job keeping things simple and making sure they have apps like docs, slides, and even blogger that flow with their classroom well. The best thing about all of this-it is free! The only downfall is-I have not figured out the best way for parents to interact with us on this site. I am looking forward to exploring the 'google site' we created in class-I believe this will be an effective way to keep parents up to speed on the technology we are using in the classroom. 

As a health/P.E. teacher/sub we don't use google classroom at the moment. When I get into my own gym full time, I plan to use it-if nothing else just as a communication tool. 99% of the time, in the gym, we are doing physical activity-the kids NEED this as the world is crazy and they sit on computers all day. I am constantly encouraging technology, but as we implement this stagnant learning we must emphasise more physical activity!

As you have figured out by now, COVID will change a lot of things forever. Education is at the top of that list. Schools have already had a big push to go as online as possible. This way, if we ever have to be quarantined for weeks at a time again we are already prepared to keep learning! Technology like google classroom makes it possible for kids to be gone weeks at a time, and come back to school on the same learning page that the other students (in class) are on. What a unique time to be a teacher or student! I know a lot of people out there have big concerns with this, but being around kids every day-we shouldn't be concerned with it. The kids love being on chrome books, it is easier to implement a variety of different learning styles, the teacher (although stressed) will be more organized and efficient. What more could we ask for?!