Google Apps

Willard R-II now has a Google Apps account, which is basically a personalized Google suite of tools. Previously we’ve been using the various Google tools by having students and teachers sign up for individual accounts. This Fall, as students were attempting to register for Google Docs, their mobile phone numbers were requested as a means of account verification, which put a stop to the registration. Google Apps gives us the ability to create multiple user accounts simultaneously, with any email addresses or verification process.

All the High School students currently have Google Apps accounts, which includes access to Google Docs,  Google Calendar, and Google Sites. The students can access any of these 3 applications by accessing the web addresses listed below, and then entering their original Novell username and password. Students will be asked to change their passwords upon first login. Teachers can print a report of students’ login information by following the directions in this handout. Teacher accounts will be created upon request.

• Google Docs: http://docs.google.com/a/media.willardr2.net
• Google Calendar: ttp://www.google.com/calendar/hosted/media.willardr2.net
• Google Sites: http://sites.google.com/a/media.willardr2.net

The interface is basically the same as Google Docs, but with our logo. To learn more about Google Docs, you can access my handout and screencasts on the Fusion: Google Docs webpage. Willard High School Teachers: if you want an account just send me an email. I’m available to help introduce this tool to your students. Scott will be adding a link to the Google Docs App to the High School Website homepage.

Google Docs benefits:

• create documents, spreadsheets, or slideshows that are stored online (like Office, but free and with limited capabilities)
• web-based program, no software to install; no more issues about differing versions of software at home and school
• access documents from any Internet connected computer; students can access files from home;
• share a document with many other users, giving them permission to either edit or just view the file; this feature can be used by students to “turn in” their assignments digitally to their teacher; no more stacks of papers to take home for grading;
• use the comment feature in Docs too leave feedback for students without editing the content of their document
• simultaneous editing of a file by multiple users makes it a great tool for group assignments and peer editing
• a revision  history will show what was contributed by each user, and also allows for the restoration of previous versions of the document if so desired
• publish your document on the Internet with 1 click
• upload office files to store/edit in your Google Docs account (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• download Google Docs files to your computer
• subscribe to a document and receive email notification when a change has been made by any users

10 Recently Tagged Sites 10.25.09

Here are 10 sites I recently tagged in delicious that I found while reading my feeds in Google Reader.

1. SignApp Now – Simple Sign Up Sheets:

• Sign app now makes it easy for schools to create online signup sheets. The site is so simple to use; in 3 easy steps teachers can create signup sheets for classroom volunteers, field trips, lunch orders, school duties, committees, and a myriad of other tasks that require a signup.
• Create a sign up sheet by giving the sign up sheet a name, filling in the email address that the signup sheet should be sent to, and your name.
• Sign App Now creates a unique link that can be emailed to everyone that has the option to signup. When parents or other staff members receive the form, they click on the link and fill in their name. That is it!
• An email is sent back to the signup sheet creator with those who have signed up. No more shuffling paper signup sheets around!

2. Is It Safe to Post Children’s Images on Online Photo Sites? – NYTimes.com

3. Conflict History

• Almost every battle ever fought in a Google Map

4. 50 Ways to Use Wikis for a More Collaborative and Interactive Classroom | Smart Teaching

5. Self-grading multiple-choice tests with Google Docs

6. Word Ahead: Vocabulary Videos

• Create Your Personalized Lists You can create your personalized lists with words of your choice, meeting the academic level of your students.
• Share Your Lists with Your Students
• Embed a Customized Widget in Your Blog or Webpage
• Engage Your Students in the Vocabulary Building Process You can make vocabulary building fun by assigning vocabulary video projects to your students and uploading their work to our website.

7. Langwitches Blog » Setting up and Introducing a Collaborative Student Math Wiki

• Lessons plans for introducing wikis to a math class

8. Introducing Google Docs to the Class | ICT in my Classroom

• Best practices when introducing google docs to your students

9. PrincipalsPage – A Navigational Tool for School Administrators

• Michael Smith, superintendent of Oakland Ill

10. AudienceSounds.com – Virtual Studio Audience Soundboard.

• crowd, woman, man, baby sounds including: clapping, clear throat, laughing, choking, cheering, giggiing, screaming, aaah, shocked, etc.

Office Video Tutorials

The Woopid Video site features free, screencast tutorials on various topics, including Office 2007. The 1-3 minute videos include Beginners Guides and Tips to Word, Powerpoint, and Excel. There are 137 Word videos, 120 Excel videos, and 75 PowerPoint videos.

From the Bundles page can scroll down to the Office section on the right, or use the Search field at the top to locate the tutorials you need.

Other topics include: iTunes, Vista, iPhone, Blackberry, Facebook, Firefox, etc.