Week 7: Google Apps

Part 1: Google Sketchup 

I made a lesson for students to use the Google App called Sketchup to create a 3D image of a house with various elements, in and around it.  I used my class Wiki to put the full detailed assignment on it.  The Tutorials were created using Jing and then uploaded to YouTube.  The students will use their Google accounts to share their projects via Google Docs and even create a screen-cast using Jing where they describe everything in their project as they navigate the screen.  Then they will put the screen-cast on their e-Portfolios on Google Sites. 

Here is the lesson on my Wiki

http://5cgreece.pbworks.com/w/page/51474593/Google%20Sketchup%203D%20Design

Part 2: Improving Student Learning Using Technology 


After watching the videos and from my own experience I have noticed that students are eager to learn new technology and it comes easy to them.  I am a digital native but technology was not used a lot in my educational upbringing.  Because of this, I have to learn how to teach using new technology.  I can not teach the same way I was taught as a child.  I think it helps that I started teaching after technology made a major transformation in the classroom.  It would be hard to have taught for years only using textbooks and then being told you have to totally adjust your teaching style to adapt to new technology.  I think this is why so many teachers are having trouble catching up.  Education and training is the key to teachers using this new technology.  I have learned so many things already by taking my grad program at TAMU-Commerce and from other professional development opportunity. 

Another Motivating Video from YouTube about Technology