Google Groups WOW!!

Last year, our high school did a our own study on the effectiveness of collaborative learning and student achievement. We had heard a great deal about it, however, I felt we needed to figure out how to effectively implement this model with no resources in a school with over 65% free and reduced lunch. Through my discovery, I found Google Groups. Google Groups has significantly changed how we as a school staff view learning. In a school, we as educators think of collaboration as cheating... however.. in the work world collaboration is absolutely necessary to be successful.

With this being said, I selected a teacher who was open to new ideas. He had created an healthy blog and was excited about his students being able to view his assignments outside of school. He had a basic understanding of posting, linking and embedding through a blog and no sophisticated software training was needed for this project.

As second semester approached, I asked him to help me with the concept of forming a learning group using Google Groups. My teacher still excited about his blog was willingly to accept (timing is everything:)) the challenge without much hesitation.

After accepting, we both sat down and determined which class we where going to select during the January to June semester. We decided on civics/government, since it was a half semester class with two new sections starting at the same time, with the same teacher.

In these two classrooms, students were assigned and attended class everyday in a traditional fashion. In one classroom, which we labeled (Classroom A) did assignments using a traditional format. In the other classroom, students were asked to work within Google Groups (Classroom B) thus forming a learning group (collaboration) with our teacher and each other. Each classroom was given like assignments and multiple choice assessments covering the same material however, one group had limited collaboration while the other group had full day access to assignments and collaboration.

**Please note the failure rate in Classroom B was significantly higher than in Classroom A for the first semester. In Classroom B, students were given access to a computer lab, library and they could post using a mobile phone).

Our results were amazing:

• In Classroom A (traditional) the results from the second semester mirrored first semester. The failure rates stayed around 10%. Their grades did not improve but rather flat lined.
• In Classroom B (Google Groups), the results revealed a reduction in our failure rate by 13%. 13% to 0%. Not one student failed the class. Better yet, not one student had a missing assignment.

We are very excited. Right now, we have over 10 teachers who have formed a Google Group with their students. Upon interviewing our piloted students, our students revealed that they love having access to classroom information 24/7. They like that they can access to their teacher and other students when they are struggling. They like that they can easily find some uninterrupted time outside of the classroom and the platform can be used with their mobile phone. Therefore, they can use their mobile phone to do their homework on the bus, at home, walking home etc. . Many of their posts were at 1-2 a.m. in the morning. Our teacher really enjoyed it because he could give his students feedback during his normal life routines at home. He also found that students had 100% participation because they did not have worry what others had to say.

All involved really liked the opportunity to view assignments over and over again. If you would like to contact me about Google Groups or Camtasia implementation just visit http://www.flippedhighschool.com.

Liz Kolb Leader in Using a Cell Phone in the Classroom

I had the pleasure of meeting Liz about 21/2 years ago. She was very gracious as she gave me a copy of her book at our meeting. I feel that she is very innovative and definitely views phones as a tool to use in the learning process.

Here is the link to her website.

http://www.cellphonesinlearning.com/

Here is a Great Video Regarding the Future Communication Devices

Yes Video Email Its Awesome (Eyejot.com)

THIS IS A GREAT VIDEO EDUCATION 21st CENTURY STYLE

You Tube?

If you are a teacher, I would like to introduce to you a concept that may change the way you view your instructional delivery practices and effectiveness. Recently, I have been speaking to my teaching staff about how we can use the Internet to enable us to be more effective and efficient as educators.

Educators may view the Internet as just an "information" highway. Most staff use it as a search and research tool when they want find a piece of information to show or give their students. Our new information source is terrific, however, the emphasis on obtaining information I feel is only fifty-percent of an effective education equation.

As educators, we create, gather and deliver information to and for our students. That is our business. We have great debates over selected information. Much of our current curriculum discussions focus on course expectations and whether or not we need to teach such things as the Lord of the Flies or Gifted Hands. These discussions are vital and necessary for student success because how do you have success if can't deem what information is important?

Teachers must determine what information is going to be taught to their students. However, I feel that is only half of what we should be asking. What about the delivery of that information? I am not talking about strategies that we use in the classroom. However, I am referring to our current delivery model in which a school has seven different teachers teaching the same thing. How do you accurately measure the effectiveness of your information and skill development when a school has no standardization in the delivery? How do get seven teachers to deliver at a consistent rate and provide a quality lesson every single time for every single student? How do teachers overcome the varying level of expertise, staff absenteeism, and lack of staff preparation in their college program?

Just as schools have standardized their information through mapping, state standards etc.. I feel equally important is the standardization of its delivery. High schools, middle schools and elementary schools have multiple teachers teaching and using same information but with the varied results. The difference in results ends up being what I call the "human" factor that each administrator ends up chasing around the building.

Knowing that educators, like others, have their own strengths and weaknesses. Some teachers are great presenters while others are solid project managers, and some are even better relationship builders. In our current day school system, a teacher is expected to be all for all students. How is this possible? Is not expected in any other job is it? A person in sales isn't expected to be the best day to day manager, marketing director, and accountant. A sales person uses their strengths in building relationships and presentation skills in order to provide the best service for their company. Obviously, a company is expected to hire another expert in a different area in order to use their strengths. A teacher, however, has to use all their skills and not necessarily in their areas in their areas of strength. What if a teacher lacks in one area of expertise within their content area, poor organizer etc... in education, we say they are a failure. I feel it is possible to use people's strengths and enhance our educational system despite staff weaknesses.

In the era of digitizing content, teachers can use can programs such as Camtasia from Techsmith to create department or grade level content that can be shared by everyone. It can used as tutorials for students and new staff ie...subs and beginning teachers, as well as for daily classroom delivery and content. This allows a school to eliminate the individual decisions that have to made about content and the mode in which it is delivered. It also allows a teacher to help students master a concept rather than be concerned about just covering it. Lastly, it helps students!!! It allows students to hear a consistent message from all staff and it effectively measures their learning because it is consistent in content and delivery and it is available all the time.

As I noted previously, I feel that the digitization of content through programs like Camtasia is crucial to a school's success. In addition, I also feel that being able to automate the delivery of content to student's e-mail account will also provide real benefits to students. By automating the delivery of content, enables a school and its students to always being on the same page. Imagine students getting the same lecture on the same day despite being absent or on a school field trip. Imagine a student being able to refer to the same lecture if their notes are incomplete or if they switched classes or were trying to study for a final exam. Imagine if a teacher had delivered video examples of poor research papers for students so when they are drafting them they don't make the same mistakes as others did (no names of course). Imagine, if a teacher who was weak in the writing process, could use another teacher's instructional example.

By digitizing their educational content, staff can use web services such as www.wiziq.com and social networks such as Twitter or Facebook. It allows staff to play upon their strengths and capitalize on others to provide support. By using this model the information is not only is available to students just in school but also outside of school. Furthermore, the information can be shared, evaluated, and adjusted by all staff.

In addition, digitizing content streamlines a school's instruction as a teacher and their supervisors can use it to evaluate a single source and/or use it as a single prescribed method, as well as, create a baseline for the evaluation of learning and teacher effectiveness. Evaluators can ask if their content is wide or deep? Do we need to add additional support? What areas do we need to add it to? Who is my strongest teacher to go over this content, building relationships or a project? Thus, a school has the ability to use the strengths of their staff and makes it easier to make strategic adjustments with knowing exactly what has been taught and for how long, therefore eliminating numerous staffing issues. For example, your strongest grammar teacher can create a video similar to the one below. It can be used by everyone. A classroom teacher can then add additional exercises to ensure comprehension and understanding. This standardizes the content and delivery. It can be measured.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBWpbDLu74c

A teacher who is a strong relationship builder could provide students access to a Twitter, Facebook accounts, Google Groups opportunities for students to inform and mentor one another. A strong relationship builder could lead an on-line chat for an on-line Wiziq.com study support group. In addition, a teacher who is extremely well organized could provide core assessments that could be completed on-line and can create QR bar codes that can be placed on each students assignments. Students could then use their cell phones to scan QR code which contains helpful links for support or further learning opportunities.
All these opportunities would be available in each subject area because teachers would be working in areas of natural strengths rather than in areas in which they are not comfortable. They could share among themselves and with their students. Using a digital format such as a Internet lecture video allows a student to view a lecture 24 hours /7 days. Lastly, it also provides opportunities for students to gather work from school if they are absent and/or suspended, as well as for review later for final exams.

Now go digitize:))